


F 

74 



WaM 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



%tjjt;Z<- ©nju|rj$t !$o 

Shelf a.W3 RA 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



XI 



% 



[U 




i 

■ 






OF THE OTTTT OF 

WORCESTER, MASS 

TO ACCOMPANY THE 

Dictionary of Worcester, 





> 















k?LU& 



X^\ 



















DICTIONARY 



OF 



WORCESTER 



(MASSA CHUSETTS) 



AND ITS VICINITY. 



WITH MAPS OF THE CITY AND OF WORCESTER COUNTY. 



. 






FIRST issikrrf 



«v OK COMq 

AY 7 1890 



vp 



JHlNfiTO^- 



^SH I NGT 



£ 



S2Iorcestct : 

F. S. BLANCHARD & CO., PUBLISHERS. 
1889. 



Copyright, 1889, 
By FRANKLIN P. KICK 






\ 
( 



First Issue. 



SO Cents, 






<pO of c>^ 

orcester 



VICINITY. 












P 



TO THE CITY, 

Its History, Government, Institutions, Soci- 
eties, Amusements, Resorts, Street 
Directory, Etc., Etc, 





WLaxttxtttt 
F. S. BLANCHARD & CO., 

154 FRONT STREET. 

— TT^TSliwr m 



PREFACE. 



The plan of the Dictionary of Worcester comprehends a hand- 
book of general information, which, as a collection of useful references 
or a guide-book to the City and its surroundings, will serve equally the 
resident and the stranger. The scope of the work differs somewhat 
from that of the " Dictionaries " issued in other cities, in being more 
full in matters relating to the history and chronology of the subjects 
treated, and in containing much that is not usually included in books 
of a similar character. Many of the facts and figures given are not 
readily accessible in any other form, and are of more than common 
interest and value to the enquirer. 

Occasional mention by name in the text of trades-people, business 
houses and other establishments, was unavoidable, but in no instance 
is such mention a recommendation in the interest of the parties named. 
Advertisements appear in their proper places at the beginning and end 
of the book, and under no disguise. 



DICTIONARY OF WORCESTER 

AND VICINITY. 



Academy.— See Worcester Academy. 

Adams Square. — At the junction of 
Lincoln and Burncoat streets. The street 
railway terminates here. North Park is 
within a short walk from the square. 

Adriatic Mills.— The building on the 
Norwich railroad, south of the Junction or 
South "Worcester station, at present in use 
as a woolen mill by the Messrs. Legg. This 
mill was erected in 1854 by Eli Thayer, and 
was constructed of stone chips taken from 
Oread hill. The fine stone was mixed with 
mortar, forming a concrete. Wooden 
frames or moulds were made the height 
and thickness of the walls, and the con- 

flomerate turned into them and allowed to 
arden; no masonry being employed in 
raising the walls. Mr. Thayer sold the 
property to Charles White and J. P. South- 
gate ; later it came into tbe possession of 
Isaac Davis, who sold it to Jordan, Marsh 
& Co. This firm equipped the shop (which 
had been used as a fire-arms manufac- 
tory,) for a woolen mill, and named it the 
Adriatic. The original building, before 
later additions were made, was 400 feet 
long, 40 feet wide and two stories high. 

Adventists.— A Second Advent Church 
was formed in Worcester in 1841 or '42. The 
place of worship was for some years in 
Thomas street, and then after an interval 
during which the services were held in 

Eublic halls, the society went in 1866 to its 
ouse in Central street and remain- 
ed there till 1883, when the building was 
removed, and the site is now occupied by a 
part of Putnam & Sprague's furniture 
warehouse. The Adventists now hold their 
meetings in Clark's Block. 492 Main street. 

African Churches.— Zion M. E. Church 
was organized in 1846, and worshipped in a 



building on Exchange street, which? was 
burned in 1854. The present brick Zion's 
church, opposite Cypress street, on Ex- 
change, was erected in 1855. The Bethel 
M. E. Church was organized in 1867, and 
for some time met at the corner of Laurel 
and Hanover streets. The present place of 
worship is at 302 Main street. Refer to 
Colored Population. 

Agricultural Society, (The Worces- 
ter)— Organized in 1817 and incorporated 
in 1818. For many years the annual exhi- 
bitions or cattle shows were held on the 
Common, with the plowing matches in 
Salem Square. In 1853 the Society pur- 
chased seven acres of land on Highland 
street, and the next year erected a spacious 
hall. Later the tract was increased to 
about twenty-five acres, now bounded by 
Sever, Highland, Agricultural and Cedar 
streets. These grounds are still used for 
the purposes of the Society, though the 
value of the land is many times the price 
given. A half-mile track affords good 
accommodations for trotting. Base balland 
other games and exhibitions are often held 
here. The managers of the New England 
Fair have several years selected Worcester 
as their place of exhibition on account of 
the facilities offered here. Horse-cars go 
to the Fair Grounds from Main street, via 
Pleasant, West and Cedar streets, also 
from Lincoln Square through Salisbury, 
Boynton and Highland streets. The pres- 
ent officers of the Society are: President, 
J. Lewis Ellsworth; Vice-Presidents, C. L. 
Hartshorn of Worcester, Ledyard Bill of 
Paxton ; Secretary and Treasurer, L. F. 
Herrick, 405 Main street. 

Aletheia,— See High School Societies. 

Allen Library*— The collection of books 
formed by the Rev. George Allen during 



ALL— AQU 



6 



his long life, is now the property of the 
Worcester Society of Antiquity. This is 
considered one of the best representative 
libraries of the New England theology in 
the country, and comprises many rare and 
valuable works illustrating early local his- 
tory and religious controversy. Through 
the efforts of Senator Hoar and other prom- 
inent gentlemen, the sum of money neces- 
sary for its purchase was, after the death 
of Mr. Allen in 1883, raised and presented to 
the Society, and the books were transferred 
to its rooms in the Bank Building, Foster 
street. The collection numbers 2,300 vol- 
umes and 2,000 pamphlets. 

All Saints' Church.— See Episcopal 
Churches. 

Almshouse. — See Poor Department. 

Almanacs Published in Worcester. — 

Isaiah Thomas began in 1775 the publication 
of his "Almanack," which was continued 
until 1823; after 1800 by his son Isaiah 
Thomas. Jr., and by George A. Trumbull 
from 1820. In 1844 Henry J. Howland is- 
sued the first number of the Worcester Al- 
manac and Directory, continued to the 
present time as the Worcester Directory. 
The Gfrand Army Almanac, a very credit- 
able production by comrade Henry N. 
Evans was published in Worcester from 
1879 to 1881. The publishers of this Dic- 
tionary have issued since 1887, The 
Yankee Almanac and Worcester County 
Handbook, a compendium of every-day 
reference. 

Robert B. Thomas, who established the 
famous Old Farmer's Almanac, published 
to this day, was a resident of Boylston, a 
bookbinder by trade, and was in the habit 
of taking books to bind for Isaiah Thomas, 
(by some thought to be a relative). Money 
being scarce he received his pay in alma- 
nacs, which he peddled over the country. 
In consequence of some misunderstanding 
with his employer, his supply was withheld, 
and he started an opposition almanac which 
has long outlived the original. 

Ambulance.— There is an Ambulance to 
be used in case of accidents, etc., attached 
to the Police Department. It was pur- 
chased in 1885 . 

American Antiquarian Society.— This 
Society was founded in 1812 by Isaiah 
Thomas, LL. D., noted as a patriot, print- 
er, and publisher of the Massachusetts 
Spy. Dr. Thomas gave the society a val- 
uable library, with funds for its main- 
tenance; and in 1820 erected a building 
(still standing on Summer street), for its 
use. This building being in some respects 
unsuited to the needs of the Society, was 



abandoned in 1853, when the books and 
collections were removed to the edifice in 
Lincoln square. The library now con- 
tains over 90,000 volumes. An invaluable 
collection of American newspapers is here 
preserved and accessible. There are also 
many portraits, busts, with other objects 
of art and antiquity well worth inspection. 
The Society has published seven volumes 
of "Transactions," under the title of Arch- 
ozologia Americana; and the "Proceed- 
ings" of the semi-annual meetings since its 
organization. The Library is open to the 
public week days (Saturday afternoons 
excepted) from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. A cor- 
dial welcome is given by the Librarian, 
Mr. Edmund M. Barton, who is eminently 
practical in his administration. Other 
officers of the Society are : President, 
Stephen Salisbury, Esq.; Vice-Presidents, 
Hon. George Bancroft, Hon. George F. 
Hoar; Recording Secretary, Hon. John D. 
Washburn; Treasurer, Nathaniel Paine, 
Esq. The aggregate of the funds of the 
Society is over $100,000. 

Amusements.— The places of public 
amusement in Worcester are few in num- 
ber, but adequate to the demands of a 
city of its size. Besides the transient 
entertainments in the numerous halls, 
nightly performances and occasional mat- 
inees have been given at the Theatre on 
Exchange street, (which was destroyed by 
fire, May 16, 1889, but is to be rebuilt), with 
generally good talent, and sometimes the 
best. (See Music Hall). Bristol's Dime 
Museum, located in Washburn Hall during 
the winter, and at Bigelow's Garden in the 
summer for several years past, is now dis- 
continued. The Front Street Musee or 
Opera House, at the location of the Old 
Worcester Theatre, gives several perform- 
ances daily, and there is a new Dime Show 
at 156 Front street. The various places of 
resort for out-door amusement are treated 
under their appropriate headings. (See 
Theatres) 

American Legion of Honor.— Hope 
Council No. 17, meets at Pythian Temple. 

Ancient Order of Foresters.— Court of 
Worcester, No. 7117, meets at 460 Main street. 
Court Scandia is of more recent origin. 

Ancient Order of Hibernians.— -See 

Irish Societies. 

Ancient Order of United Workmen. 

—There are three lodges of this order in 
Worcester, viz : Clinton Lodge, No. 29 ; 
Worcester Lodge, No. 56 ; and Victor 
Lodge, No. 92. 

Aqueduct Company.— The Worcester 



ARC— ART 



Aqueduct Company was incorporated in 
1845, for the purpose of constructing and 
maintaining an equeduct to bring water 
from Bladder or Bell Pond for the use of 
the town. Stephen Salisbury and other 
prominent citizens were interested in the 
undertaking. The rights and property of 
this company were purchased by the city 
inil848. See Water Works; Bell Pond. 

Arcade, (The).— An old wooden building 
formerly located in Washington square, on 
the site of the Arcade Malleable Iron 
Works. It was occupied principally by 
Irish families, and probably was erected 
about the time of the building of the Bos- 
ton & Worcester railroad, to accommodate 
the workmen. It was sometimes called the 
Rookery. A serious riot once occurred here. 

Architects, (The Worcester Society 

of).— This society was formed Jan. 27, 1887, 
its objects being to unite in fellowship the 
Architects of the city and vicinity, and to 
combine their efforts so as to promote the 
artistic, scientific and practical efficiency of 
the profession. The society consists of 
Fellows and Associates. The Fellows are 
practicing architects, and the Associates 
persons not practicing architects who have 
served two years in an architect's office, 
and others interested in the objects of the 
society. Meetings are held in the offices of 
the members. Elbridge Boyden is Pres- 
ident and Ward P. Delano, Secretary. 

Architecture.— Worcester possesses few 
striking specimens of architecture, though 
there are many fine dwelling-houses and 
business blocks. Of ancient buildings, the 
Salisbury Mansion in Lincoln square ; the 
Baldwin or Eaton House, on Main street, 
at the foot of George ; and the Trumbull 
House, in Trumbull square, may be men- 
tioned. The Oread Institute, on Alden 
street, is a remarkable structure, resembling 
an ancient castle ; and the Worcester Acad- 
emy, on Union Hill, can hardly fail 
to attract the attention of the stranger. 
Mechanics Hall Building and the Stone 
Court House are the only edifices 
on Main street of classic pretensions. 
Among the churches, St. Paul's (Catholic), 
All Saints, (Episcopal), the Central, Ply- 
mouth and new Old South, are worthy of 
mention. Of private residences, that of 
Jonas G. Clark, on Elm street, is most note- 
worthy. As a rule the dwellings are neat 
and attractive, and the business blocks 
substantial and well-built. 

Area.— The area of Worcester com- 
prises about thirty-six square miles, or 23,000 
acres. 

Arlington Club.— A social organization 



of young men, formed in 1883. The Club 
occupies rooms in Clark's Block. 

Armenians.— There are about 500 Ar- 
menians in Worcester, and the number is 
increasing. As a rule they are industrious - 
and worthy, and many are skilled artizans. 
They have been subjected to persecution 
and some brutal treatment in Worcester, 
as seems to be the case at first with every 
nationality coming in small numbers. 
Many Armenians are employed by the 
Washburn & Moen Mfg. Co., at the Wire 
Mills. There is an Armenian Club formed 
through the efforts of Mr. Topanelian, its 
president. An Armenian church, the first 
in this country, has been organized here 
under the charge of Rev. Fr. Sarajian, who 
was sent to America for that purpose. 
The first religious service was held in 
Reform Club Hall, Sunday, July 28, 1889. 

Armory .— The first Armory building was 
erected on Waldo street in 1875, and is now 
used for the purposes of the Central Dis- 
trict Court, and Central Police Station. 
The land was purchased of Albert Tolman 
for $14,612, and the building cost $34,780, 
making a total of $49,392. It proved a bad 
bargain to the City, for the building was so 
poorly constructed that it had to be aban- 
doned by the militia as unsafe, and liable 
to tumble down when subjected to the 
vibration incident lo military drill. The 
new Armory is now in process of construc- 
tion at the corner of Grove and Salisbury 
streets, on land purchased of Stephen 
Salisbury, Esq., for $23,000. The estimated 
cost (including land) is $125,000, which sum 
is loaned by the State, to be repaid by the 
City in a term of years. 

Art and Artists. — Art, like literature, 
has not flourished to any great extent in 
Worcester. Mrs. Helen C. Knowles left at 
her death in 1884 a bequest of $25,000 for 
the promotion of Art Education, either by 
establishing some organization for that 
purpose, or creating a professorship in 
some institution already existing in Wor- 
cester. This bequest is still in the hands of 
her executors. Messrs. E. A. Strong of Bos- 
ton, and Henry A. Marsh of Worcester, and 
now amounts with the accumulated interest, 
to about $28,000. The disposition of this 
fund rests entirely with the gentlemen 
named, and their plans are not yet de- 
veloped. 

George L. Brown, the celebrated landscape 
painter, once resided in Worcester and 
went from this place to Italy. His death 
occurred the present year (1889) near 
Boston. S. P. R. Triscott, a water-color 
painter of later fame, was in Worcester 
between 1870 and 1880 At present Henry 
Woodward, Miss Helen M. Knowlton, Mrs 



AKT— BAL 



8 



A. C. Freeland and George E. Gladwin are 
well known in local circles. J. H. Green- 
wood, in oil, and Fred A. M'Clure, water- 
c olor, are rising to fame, and there are 
ot hers of merit. See Art Society ; Art 
Student's Club. 

Art Society, (The Worcester).— This 
society was organized Nov. 27, 1877, and 
incorporated Dec. 29, 1887, its purpose 
being "to promote art culture; 11 the first 
board of officers was constituted as fol- 
lows: President, Hon. Geo. F. Hoar; Vice- 
Presidents, Hon. L. J. Knowles, Rev. E. H. 
Hall, Rev. C. M. Lamson; Secretary, Miss 
Rebecca Jones; Treasurer, Jos. E. Davis; 
Directors, C. O. Thompson, S. C. Earle, 

B. W. Potter, Mrs. P. L. Moen, Mrs. J. H. 
Walker. The officers for 1889 are: Pres- 
ident, Nathaniel Paine; Vice-Presidents, 
S. S. Green, C. A. Chase ; Treasurer, E. B. 
Hamilton; Clerk, E. B. Glasgow; Direc- 
tors, P. L. Moen, J. G. Clark, W. E. Rice, 
B. W. Potter, W. T. Harlow. The Society 
has held several art exhibitions, and lec- 
tures have been given under its auspices. 

Art Stores.— The veteran art dealer of 
Worcester is Augustus E. Peck, whose 
store in the Lincoln House Block, (368 Main 
street), has for years been the resort of 
the art lovers of this county. Mr. Peck 
established the business in 1861, in one of 
the stores on Main street, below Central, 
now occupied by Putnam & Sprague. 
He afterwards moved to a store 
nearly opposite, and in 1870 took 
possession of his present quarters. Mr. 
Peck has seen all but six pass away of 
those who were in business on Main street 
when he began. There are several other 
art stores in the city. 

Art Students' Club.— Rooms in Walk- 
er Building. Meetings the last Saturday 
of each month. This association was 
organized in 1880 for practical work, and 
has proved beneficial, particularly to begin- 
ners and students. Occasional exhibitions 
of works of its members are given. The 
Club was incorporated in 1887. The pres- 
ent officers are: President, George E. 
Gladwin; Clerk, Miss Abbie J. Trask; 
Treasurer, Frank E. Higgins; Librarian, 
Miss Frances A Knowlton. 

Asnebumskit Hill.— The highest emi- 
nence in the vicinity of Worcester, on the 
main road to Paxton, about seven miles 
from the City Hall. Its height is over 1,400 
feet, and a fine view can be had from the 
summit. 

ssembly Debating Society. — See 

Ah School Societies. 



Asylums. — See Home for Aged Females ; 
Old Men's Home; Children's Friend Socie- 
ty ; Temporay Home and Day Nursery; 
Insane Asylums; Hospitals. 

Auburn. — This town was taken from the 
towns of Leicester, Oxford, Sutton and 
Worcester, and incorporated in 1778 under 
the name of Ward, in honor of Gen. Arte- 
mas Ward. The name was changed to 
Auburn in 1837. It lies about five miles 
from Worcester center, and can be reached 
by the Norwich railroad. Population in 
1885, 1,268. 

Auctions and Auctioneers. — Auctions 
or vendues have been held in Worcester 
from the earliest time. The names of 
prominent auctioneers here are given 
below, with approximate dates : Samuel 
Bridge, 1797 ; Thomas Stickney, Nathan 
Blackman, T. Farrar, 1800; William Eaton, 
1808-1830 ; Reuben Wheeler, 1816 ; John 
Milton Earle, 1830 ; James Estabrook, 1844 ; 
Thornton A. Merrick, 1845; T. W. Bancroft, 
1849 ; E. E. Abbott, 1852 ; Alexander Put- 
nam, 1852 ; E. W. Vaill, 1854 ; W. W. Pratt, 
1856 ; E. B. Lamson, 1856-1865 ; Chas. Her- 
sey, 1858; A. E. Peck, 1857; Henry Glazier, 
1865-1875. B. W. Abbott, who came to Wor- 
cester in 1864, enjoyed a monopoly of real 
estate and other sales for several years. 
He died in 1886. Worcester's most suc- 
cessful auctioneer at the present time is 
Henry M. Clemence, whose office is on 
Pearl street. His first sale was in April, 
1875. Horace Kendall & Son in Mechanics 
Hall Building, hold evening and occasional 
sales of furniture and notions at their place 
of business. There are several other auc- 
tion rooms in different parts of the city ; 
Geo. W. Mirick, 204 Main street, (E. B. 
Lamson 's old stand) ; and Folsom & Slaney, 
580 Main street, hold regular Saturday 
sales of new and second-hand furniture, 
etc. There are sales of horses, cattle car- 
riages, harnesses etc., every Saturday, at 
the City Stock Yards, on Summer street, 
near Washington square, by O. A. Kelley, 
auctioneer. 

Balanced Bock —About a mile and a 
half from the center of Shrewsbury, on the 
road to Boylston. It is a large boulder— an 
irregular cube of perhaps 25 by 15 feet, 
resting on one of its angles on the surface 
of a flat ledge, on the crest of the hill. It is 
very curious, and suggests an idea of the 
prodigious glacial forces which probably 
drifted it to its present position and dropped 
it gently and evenly balanced. Beneath it, 
upon the surface or the ledge, the striae or 
glacial markings can be plainly seen, the 
over-hanging mass having sheltered them 
from the elements. 



Bancroft's Birth Place.— The house in 
which George Bancroft, the historian, was 
horn, Oct. 3, 1800, is standing on Salisbury 
street, about half a mile from Lincoln 
square. It is occupied by Mr. John B. 
Pratt as a residence. 

Bands, (Military).— There are four mili- 
tary bands in Worcester at the present 
time: The Worcester Brass, which was 
formed in 1868, with T. C. Richardson as 
leader. It is now conducted by L. D. 
Waters. The Battery B, formerly the 
Cadet, and at first known as the French 
Band, under the leadership of E. D. Ingra- 
ham. Both the above enjoy a well-merited 
reputation from the range and excellence 
of their playing. The City Band, formerly 
the Father Mathew, is now conducted by 
T. C. Richardson. The Brigade Band, 
composed almost entirely of Swedes, is an 
organization of comparatively late origin. 
See under Music. 

Banks.— There are seven National Banks 
in Worcester, namely, the Worcester on 
Foster street, incorporated March 7, 1804. 
This bank has had during the eighty-five 
years of its existence but four presidents, 
and only two names signed to its notes as 
presidents— Daniel Waldo, senior, who was 
for a short time the first president, and was 
succeeded by his son, Daniel Waldo, junior, 
who served until his death in 1845. Stephen 
Salisbury was then elected and continued 
until his death in 1884, when the office 
passed to the present incumbent of the 
same name. This bank was organized as a 
National Bank May 9, 1864. The Central 
Bank, 452 Main street, was incorporated in 
1829, and became a National Bank May 18, 

1864. The Quinsigamond, 241 Main street, 
incorporated in 1829, was re-organized in 

1865. The Citizens, 425 Main street, incor- 
porated 1836, re-organized in 1865. The 
Mechanics, 311 Main street, (Central Ex- 
change), incorporated 1848 ; re-organized 
1865. The City, 406 Main street, incorpora- 
ted 1854 ; re-organized 1864. The First 
National, 410 Main street, organized in 1863. 
The Security opened for business July 
20, 1875, with a capital of $100,000, and 
ceased to exist in 1878. It was located at 
the north corner of Main and Pleasant 
streets. 

There are four Savings Banks : The Wor- 
cester County Institution for Savings, 13 
Foster street, incorporated 1828; The 
Mechanics Savings Bank, (Central Ex- 
change), incorporated 1851 ; The Five Cents 
Savings Bank, 246 Main street, incorpora- 
ted 1854; and the Peoples, 452 Main street, 
incorporated 1864. 

See Cooperative Banks; Safe Deposit 
Companies. 



I BAN— BAS 

Baptist Churches.— There are eight 
Baptist churches in Worcester, namely, 
the First, in Salem square, founded in 
1812; the Pleasant street, founded 1841; 
Main street, 1853; Dewey street, on Park 
ave., 1872; Swedish, Normal street, 1880; 
Lincoln square, Highland street, 1881; 
Mount Olive, John street, 1885; and the 
South, corner Main and Gates streets, 1886. 
There is also a Free Will Baptist church 
which meets at 492 Main street. 

Bar Association, (Worcester County). 

— An organization of lawyers in the coun- 
ty, recently formed for social purposes 
mainly at present. Col. W. S. B. Hopkins 
is the president. 

Barber's Crossing.— A station on the 
Boston & Maine and Fitchburg R. R's., 
north of Lincoln square. There is a post- 
office here. 

Barnardville.— A village at New Wor- 
cester near Hope Cemetery. 

Base Ball.— Base ball has always been 
a favorite pastime in Worcester. Previous 
to 1865 the game was commonly called 
"round ball 11 and the old Common was the 
playground for everybody who wished to 
participate, three or four games going on 
at the same time on holidays. For several 
years previous to 1860 the only organized 
club in the city was the "Mechanics." 
They played a strong game but were no 
match for the Uptons or Medways, who 
reduced the game to a science and far 
excelled all rivals. After the war, the 
present game of base ball, first played in 
New York, was introduced into New Eng- 
land, but did not become popular for 
several years. The first professional team 
in the city was the Irvings, who flourished 
in 1877-8. The following year the game 
was loudly boomed and the "Worcesters" 
were organized to represent the city in 
what was called the International Asso- 
ciation. In 1880-81-82 the Worcesters were 
in the National League and base ball 
prospered as never before or since. While 
in the League, a fifty cent tariff was 
charged for admissions to the game. The 
city was not large enough however to 
support a League team, and at the close 
of the season of 1882 the Worcesters ceased 
to exist. An attempt was made to revive 
interest in the game in 1884, and a pro- 
fessional team was organized, but after 
completing half the season the team was 
disbanded. Base ball tben remained 
practically at rest until 1888 when a team 
was organized to represent the city in the 
New England Base Ball Association. The 
season was fairly successful. Previous to 
1888 all the professional games were played 



BAT— BIG 



10 



at the Fair Grounds. At the opening of 
the season of 1888, new grounds were 
inclosed on Grove street and a modern 
grand-stand erected for the accommoda- 
tion of the patrons. The new grounds are 
leased of Stephen Salisbury, Esq., by the 
street railroad company. 

Battle Flags.— The original flags car- 
ried by the Worcester Regiments— the 15th, 
21st, 25th, 34th, 36th, 51st and 57th— in the 
War of the Rebellion, are preserved in a 
case in the Aldermen's chamber in the City 
Hall. The flag carried by Sergeant Plun- 
kett, who lost both arms at Fredericksburg, 
can also be seen here. Some of these flags 
are reduced to shreds, and were borne in 
the fiercest battles of the war. On rare 
occasions they appear in parades of the 
organizations to which they belong. 

Bay State House. — The principal hotel 
in the City, at corner of Main and Exchange 
streets. It was erected by a corporation 
aDd opened to the public February 8, 1856. 
The building cost originally $100,000, and 
$38,000 was paid for the land. The present 
proprietors, Douglass & Brown, have 
recently refitted the establishment, and it 
has now all the appointments of a first-class 
hotel. This location has been a tavern-site 
from early times. See Hotels. 

Beaver Brook.— This stream rises in 
Holden, and flows generally south to New 
Worcester, where it joins Tatnuck brook to 
which it is a tributaiy. 

Bell or Bladder Pond.— Belmont street. 
It was from this pond that the first water 
supply for the town was drawn by aque- 
duct in 1845. The pipes were laid to a 
reservoir (recently demolished) 107 rods 
distant, and iron pipes conveyed the water 
through Prospect, Thomas, Main, Park, 
Salem, Mechanic, Pleasant and Elm streets. 
The Pond is still a part of the system of 
water works. Its name was given on 
account of its resembling a bell in outline. 
See Aqueduct Company and Water 
Works. 

Benefit Associations.— See under Co- 
operation. 

Benignug Conventns, (Worcester).— 

Branch No. 1, was organized in 1888. 

Bibles Printed in "Worcester.— Four 

editions of the Bible were printed by 
Isaiah Thomas: A . Folio (the first in 
America) with 50 copper-plates; and a 
Royal Quarto, with and without a concor- 
dance, both issued in 1791. An Octavo, 
with and without the Apocrypha, published 
in 1793. A Demy 12mo. in 1797. The types 



of the latter were kept standing, and sub- 
sequent impressions were made. Isaiah 
Thomas, Jr., printed a Greek Testament 
in Worcester in 1802; and the first Amer- 
ican edition of the Koran in 1806. An 
edition of Confucius was printed by Tyler 
& Seagrave, at the old Spy office in 1866, 
and published by Zephaniah Baker, the 
first city librarian. 

Bible Society.— The Worcester County 
Bible Society was formed Sept. 7, 1815. It 
has a nominal existence at the present 
time, but appears not to be active. 

Bicycling.— The brief furor over the 
clumsy and rattling velocipede of twenty 
years ago will be remembered by many. 
At that time a "riding school" was opened 
in the top story of Sargent's building, 
(since burned off) at the entrance to Soutn- 
bridge street, and was popular for a 
season. The use of this cumbersome 
vehicle was, however, confined to those 
whose enthusiasm was far in advance of 
their judgment, and after a few months it 
disappeared. The modern bicycle was 
then an untbought of thing. The idea 
originated in England. The first bicycle 
made in America was built in Worcester at 
Stowe's shop on Cypress street, in April, 
1878, by W. H. Pierce, an Englishman. 
This was a 52-inch machine and was con- 
structed for Hill & Tolman. April 9, 1879, 
the Worcester Bicycle Club was formed 
with F. S. Pratt, President and Captain; 
W. H. Pierce, Sub-Captain; and Geo. M. 
Doe, Secretary and Treasurer. Another 
club of the same name has since existed 
but is not now active. In 1882 the iEolus 
Club was formed, and later the Bay State. 
Hill & Tolman, on Front street, were the 
pioneer dealers in bicycles in Worcester, 
and have since carried on an extensive 
business in this line. Lincoln Holland & 
Co. also have a salesroom on Front street. 
The popularity of bicycles and kindred 
machines appears to be increasing. From 
150 to 175 bicycles, tricycles, etc., were 
sold in Worcester during 1888. 

Bigelow's Garden. — On Norwich street, 
between Foster and Mechanic streets. A 
place of popular amusement much fre- 
quented during the past few years, but 
whose glory has now departed. The Gar- 
den contains the building known as the 
"Rink,' 1 which was erected about ten years 
ago for roller skating. The property soon 

f>assed into the hands of Horace H. Bige- 
ow, who inclosed the Garden and beautified 
it, introducing music and novelties to 
attract the crowd. Public and religious 
meetings and political conventions, as well 
as fairs, exhibitions, theatricals, walking 
matches, and other athletic contests, etc., 



11 



BIG— BOA 



have been held in the building. On the 
site of the Garden stood the old Worcester 
Railroad Station or Foster Street Depot, 
which was removed in 1877. 

Bigelow Monument.— On the Com- 
mon. This beautiful monument of Italian 
marble was erected to mark the last rest- 
ing place of the distinguished revolutionary 
patriot, Col. Timothy Bigelow, and was 
presented to the City by his great-grand- 
son, Timothy Bigelow Lawrence. It was 
publicly dedicated April 19, 1861. 

Bimleck Hill.— The elevation back or 
south of Oak Hill, was known by this name 
in ancient times, and frequent reference is 
made to it in the old records. 

Blackstone River and Canal.— The 

natural course of the Blackstone river, 
which rises in Paxton, and flows south into 
Narragansett bay, was made available in 
the construction of the Canal from Wor- 
cester to Providence. The project of a 
canal between these points was proposed 
before 1800, but the matter was allowed to 
rest for a quarter of a century. About 
1820 the plan was renewed, and after some 
agitation a company was formed and char- 
tered in 1823, by the legislatures of Massa- 
chusetts and Rhode Island. Excavation 
for the work was begun at Providence in 
1824, and the canal completed in 1828, the 
first boat arriving at Worcester October 
6th. The cost was $700,000. The canal 
was a losing concern, though it contributed 
materially to the prosperity of the region 
through which it passed. It ceased to be 
used soon after the opening of the Provi- 
dence & Worcester railroad in 1847. The 
last toll was collected November 9, 1848, 
and the affairs of the company were finally 
settled in 1853. Tne Blackstone river pro- 

Ser begins at Quinsigamond Village where 
Lill brook and Middle river unite to form 
the larger stream. 

Blocks and Buildings,— The following 
are known by name in Worcester. 

American House Block, corner Main and 
Foster streets. 

Bank Block, Foster street. 

Bangs Block, Main street, opposite Court 
hill. 

Brinley Block, Main street, corner Maple. 

Burnside Building, 339 Main street. 

Butman Block, Main street, between 
Pearl and Elm streets. 

Central Exchange, 311 Main street. 

Chad wick Building, 236 Main street. 

Chapin Block, Pearl street. 

Chase Building, 44 Front street. 

Clark Block, 492 Main street. 

Crompton Block, Mechanic street. 

Cummings Building, 59 Main street. 



Dean Building, Lincoln square. 

First National Bank Budding, 410 Main 

Flagg's Block, 288 Main street. 

Flatiron Building, (Scott's Block,) Frank- 
lin square. 

Foster Building, Foster street. 

Franklin Building, Franklin square. 

Harding Block, corner Front and Trum- 
ball streets. 

Harrington Block, 173 Main street. 

Knowles Building, corner Main and 
Chatham streets. 

Lincoln House Block, from Elm to Maple 
streets, on Main street. 

Paine Block, corner Main and Walnut 
streets. 

Parker Block, 113 Main street. 

People's Savings Bank Building, 452 Main 
street. 

Piper's Block, 419 Main street. 

Rogers' Block, 424-426 Main street. 

Salisbury Building, Lincoln square. 

Sargent Block, corner Main and South- 
bridge streets. 

Scott's Block, (Flatiron building,) Frank- 
lin square. 

Stevens' Block, Southbridge street. 

Stockwell's Block, Mechanic street. 

Taylor's Building, 476 Main street. 

Waldo Block. 271 Main street. 

Walker Building, 405 Main street. 

Warren Block, Pearl street. 

Bloomingdale. — A station on the Wor- 
cester & Shrewsbury railroad at Plantation 
street. 

Board of Health.— Established in 1877. 
It is composed of three members, of whom 
the City Physician is ex-officio one. The 
Board also emploj-s a General Inspector 
and an Inspector of Plumbing. The regu- 
lation of all matters that affect the public 
health, or are connected with the sanitary 
condition of the City are properly within 
the care of the Board— Drainage, disposal 
of offal, contagious diseases, etc.; also the 
inspection of milk and articles of food. 
The Board also issues burial permits. 
The members are appointed biennially by 
the Mayor and Aldermen. The office of 
the Board is in the basement of the City 
Hall building. 

Board of Trade.— Established in 1873, 
and incorporated in 1875. While the or- 
ganization is legally maintained the insti- 
tution is practically defunct. 

Boat Clubs and Boating.— In 1858 
James F. Allen, Chas. M. Bent, E. D. Coggs- 
well, H. A. Marsh and Nathaniel Paine 
formed a boat club, which was first called 
the "Wide-Awake." They practiced rowing 
on Salisbury's pond, and employed an ex- 



BOA— BOO 



12 



perienced trainer; afterwards the club re- 
moved to Curtis's pond, at New Worcester, 
and August 2, 1859, to Lake Quinsigamond. 
The name was changed to "Atalanta" in 
April, 1859. Nathaniel Paine was the first 
president. At the Lake a boat-house was 
built on the west side, and was occupied in 
common with a new club formed in 1859, 
under the name of the "Phantom." This, 
by change of name, became the present 
Quinsiaamond Boat Club. The original 
members were J. G. Hey wood, W. E. Hac- 
ker, H. H. Chamberlain, T. R. Green, J. P. 
Hamilton, Edward Hamilton and Edward 
Brown. It absorbed the Atalanta Club, 
though the latter still has a nominal exist- 
ence. The Quinsigamond occupied a club 
and boat house north of the causeway for 
several years, and then erected the present 
attractive building some distance south of 
the causeway off Lake avenue. The Quin- 
sigamond maintains the characteristics of a 
social club, and is exclusive in its member- 
ship. It takes no part, as a club, in rowing 
contests and regattas. In another way, 
however, its influence has been felt in row- 
ing circles. 

In 1860 a young ladies 1 boat club was 
formed, under the direction of Thomas 
Wentworth Higginson. The Lake became a 
popular resort for boating. College Regat- 
tas were annually held here from 1859 to 
1870; and many amateurs and prof essionals 
have from time to time availed themselves 
of its superior advantages. The opening 
of the Shrewsbury railroad in 1873 largely 
increased the number of visitors to the 
Lake, and gave a great impetus to aquatic 
sports there, and interest has increased 
from year to year, until Worcester has be- 
come a rowing center. The efforts of cer- 
tain active local organizations have largely 
contributed to this result. Of the three 
boat clubs which have been most promi- 
nent in advancing the rowing interest, the 
Lakeside is the foremost. It was organized 
Feb. 14, 1887, with a membership of 20, 
which has increased to 46. This club is 
composed of young men, mostly employed 
in the banks and offices in the City. They 
occupy a fine building, erected near the 
Quinsigamond's, at a cost of $3000. Last 
year the club held both a spring and a fall 
regatta, and preparations for others this 
year are in progress. Lawrence G. Bigelow 
is President ; G. Stewart Dickinson, Vice- 
President; Henry A. Adams, Secretary; and 
Alfred H. Maynard, Treasurer. The club 
was incorporated in 1887. 

The Wachusett Boat Club was organized 
in the early part of 1888, and at once took a 
prominent part at the Lake. The regatta 
of the New England Amateur Rowing As- 
sociation last year was held under its 
auspices. The club has comfortable quar- 
ters near the Island House, in the building 



formerly used by Webb, the boat-builder, 
J. J. O'Malley is President; Martin Gerrity. 
Vice-President; J.J. Hurley, Secretary; and 
J. Kerns, Treasurer. The most recent 
addition to the active clubs is the Worces- 
ter, organized in July, 1888. Its four-oared 
crew won the championship of the Lake, 
and Bigelow's championship banner, in a 
contest with the Woodcock crew last year. 
E. W. Harrington is President; Frank C. 
Eaton, Vice-President; E. B. Fish, Secretary; 
Eugene R. Tuson, Treasurer; and John F. 
Cumming, Captain. This club occupies 
temporary quarters in Coburn's boat-house 
and has a membership of 60. 

The Washington Social Club has a large 
club-house on the Shrewsbury shore, and 
possesses a private fleet of boats. 

Books about Worcester.— Peter Whit- 
ney's History of Worcester County is the 
earliest and one of the most reliable books 
which has reference to Worcester. Wil- 
liam Lincoln's History was published in 
1837, and extended by Charles Hersey in 
1861. Albert A. Lovell's " Worcester in the 
Revolution' 1 '' is a valuable record of that 
period; and Caleb A. Wall's "Reminis- 
cences'''' contains much miscellaneous mat- 
ter of interest. Rev. A. P. Marvin's "Wor- 
cester in the War of the Rebellion" gives a 
good account of the men, martyrs and 
deeds of the fight for the Union so far as 
Worcester's part is concerned. "The Wor- 
cester Book," by F. P. Rice, was published 
in 1884— a manual of dates and noteworthy 
events. "Worcester : Its Past and Pres- 
ent,''' published by O. B. Wood, is an elab- 
orate and profusely illustrated book. 
Rev. Dr. Smalley's "Worcester Pulpit" is 
a valuable work for ecclesiastical history. 
Besides these works of general history 
there have been published many books and 
pamphlets on different occasions, and 
relating to special subjects, societies and 
events, too numerous to be mentioned 
here. A large history of Worcester 
County was published about ten years ago, 
and another has just appeared. Mr. 
Nathaniel Paine published in 1884 a Bibli- 
ography of books about Worcester, which 
appeared in connection with the Account 
of the Bi-Centennial celebration of the 
naming of the town. 

Book Clubs.— Possibly the Associate-Cir- 
culating Library Company, in being in 1793 
(see Libraries), was of a character similar 
to modern book clubs. The Worcester 
Book Club, formed in 1839, is the oldest in 
the city, and the Review Club, formed in 
1847, comes next. The Worcester Reading 
Club, the Book Club No. 4, and the Waverley 
Club, with those first named are the most 
important, and there are many others. 



13 



BOO— BRA 



Bookstores. — The oldest bookstore in 
Worcester is that of Sanford & Co., in the 
Lincoln House Block, at the corner of 
Main and Maple streets. This establish- 
ment was founded in March, 1835, by H. H. 
Holton, and he sold to M. D. Phillips & 
Co., in September of that year. In 1845 
Edward Livermore succeeded, and he was 
followed by Zephaniah Baker & Co., in 
1854. In 1857 Rev. William H. Sanford, 
who had recently retired from the ministry 
at Boylston, purchased the store, and the 
business still remains in the hands of his 
family. A fine stock of book is kept 
here. The house of Putnam, Davis & 
Co., at 389 Main street, was established by 
Jonathan Grout nearly fifty years ago, and 
has long been a popular resort of the book 
lovers of the town. Richard O'Flynn, 244 
Front street, and Henry M. Clemence, on 
Pearl street, deal in second-hand and 
antiquarian books. 

Book Publishers.— Isaiah Thomas was 
the most enterprising publisher of his 
time on this continent. Besides several 
editions of the Bible, (see Bibles) he pub- 
lished most of the school text-books then 
used, dictionaries and lexicons, medical 
and law books, and many standard works 
in history and general literature. He was 
succeeded by his son, Isaiah Thomas, Jr., 
who during the early years of this century 
continued his father's business with de- 
clining success. The following of their 
publications deserve special mention: 
Perry's Dictionary, (the first dictionary 
published in America); Cullen's Medical 
Works, in several volumes; Blackstone's 
Commentaries; Whitney's History of 
Worcester County; Josephus, in six vol- 
umes (1794); Plutarch's Lives, in six vol- 
umes (1802); The Koran, in 1806; a Greek 
Lexicon, in 1808; and Thomas' History of 
Printing. 

George A. Trumbull, who succeeded the 
younger Thomas, published a few unim- 
portant books; and his successor, Claren- 
don Harris, in 1829 issued the first 
Worcester Directory, with a map of the 
village in copper-plate. Dorr & Howland 
were in business here for several years 
from 1821, as publishers and booksellers, 
and S. A. Howland published in 1839 Bar- 
ber's Historical Collections. Henry J. 
Howland is well known as the publisher 
for many yeai-s of the Worcester Direc- 
tory, now the property of Drew, Allis & 
Co. Mr. Howland also published other 
books. Other parties have occasionally 
issued publications, but for many years the 
business of "book-making" has been vir- 
tually dead. 

Boys' Club.— A Boys' Club for " street 
boys " has recently been established in 



Worcester. The rooms are in the top story 
of the laundry building at the head of 
Barton place, and were opened Septem- 
ber 21, 1889. These rooms will be sup- 
plied with books, games and other attrac- 
tions, and will be open evenings during the 
colder months of the year from 7 to 9.30. 
They are in charge of a superintendent, 
who will devote his time during the day to 
visiting among the boys, becoming acquaint- 
ed with them, learning their surroundings, 
attending the police court a^d judiciously 
helping any, as far as possible, whom he 
may find there, and in other ways keeping 
a general and friendly oversight of the 
boys who are most likely, if left to them- 
selves, to grow up to lives of evil, and prove 
an expense as well as a menace to our city 
and state. The work is similar to that 
which has been tried with good success in 
other cities, and which the People's Club, 
some sixteen or seventeen years ago under- 
took in the " evenings with the newsboys," 
and carried on for some time. It has been 
found that large numbers of boys from 
eight to seventeen years of age will gladly 
take advantage of the opportunity of hav- 
ing a place to spend their evenings. 

The work here is under the direction of 
a local committee connected with the State 
committee of the " Work for Boys," of 
which Rev. Edward Everett Hale, of Bos- 
ton. T. E. Peirson, of Pittsfieli, William H. 
Haile, of Springfield, and A. C. Buck, of 
Worcester, are the members. C. L. Bur- 
ges is the local superintendent. 

Liberal subscriptions have been made by 
prominent citizens to sustain the work. 

Boulevard, (The). — A projected pleas- 
ure drive, ultimately to encircle the city, 
of which only a portion, in two sections, 
is completed, represented by Lake avenue, 
along the shore of Lake Quinsigamond, 
and Park avenue on the west side. It was 
decreed in 1873, and the order authorizing 
it to cross Elm Park was vetoed by Mayor 
Jillson in December, this being the first 
exercise of the veto power by a mayor. 
The order was, however, passed over the 
veto, and the road was built over a portion 
of the Park. 

At times the horse-racing fraternity take 
possession of the drive, to the obvious 
exclusion of those who regard life and 
limb ; and efforts to confine the road to its 
legitimate use have been strenuously re- 
sisted by the votaries of the turf. 

Boylston. — A town seven miles north- 
east of Worcester, not accessible by rail- 
road. It was originally a part of Shrews- 
bury, and was incorporated as a separate 
township in 1786. Population in 1885, 834. 

Brand Mark. — The ancient Brand 



BR I— CAH 



14 



Mark of Worcester, designated by the Gen- 
eral Court in 1684, by which the cattle, 
etc., belonging to the place were to be 
distinguished, was represented thus : 



* 



Brigade Club.— A social organization 
composed of officers of the old 3rd Brigade 
and others. The club was formed in 
December, 1879. Josiah Pickett is President, 
R. H. Chamberlain, Vice-President, and 
Chas. S. Chapin, Secretary and Treasurer, 
Rooms are occupied in the Odd Fellows' 
building on Pleasant street. 

British Americans.— The last census 
gives 2120 as the number of British born 
residents of Worcester, but there are 
probably 5,000 of English blood in the 
city. The British-American Society, 
Branch No. 36, was organized here 
in January, 1888, as the result of a 
meeting held in Horticultural Hall, at 
which a number of gentlemen from the 
British-American Society of Boston at- 
tended. Organizations of British-Amer- 
icans in nearly all the states in the Union 
followed the ill-advised opposition of cer- 
tain Boston politicians to the use of 
Faneuil Hall by the Englishmen at the 
time of Queen Victoria's Jubilee in June, 
1887. The British-American element is 
now an important factor in politics. 
Although the present strong organization 
originated in Boston, Worcester was the 
first to form a British-American Society, 
which was organized Oct. 5, 1883. The 
inception of the idea belongs to Joseph 
Turner, who was the first president. The 
Society met regularly for several years. 
The Order of the Sons of St. George was 
founded in Pennsylvania about 1870. 
Prince Consort Lodge, No. 29, was organ- 
ized in Worcester in 1872 and now has a 
membership of over 200. It is a mutual 
benefit society. The Daughters of St. 
George is a similar society for ladies. Prin- 
cess Alice Lodge, No. 1, was organized here 
in 1882. All of the above associations hold 
meetings at St. George's Hall. 

Builders' Exchange. — Organized in 
May, 1886, as the Mechanics' Exchange. 
The present name was adopted in 1889, 
when the by-laws were changed. Any 
citizen being a mechanic or trader, or 
whose avocation is connected with the 
building trades or industries of the country, 
may become a member of the Exchange, 
but the membership is limited to 250. 
There is an arbitration committee appoint- 
ted by the Board of Trustees from their 



own body for the settlement of disputes. 
Ellery B. Crane was the first president, and 
was succeeded by H. W. Eddy in 1889. 
C. D. Morse, of Millbury, is Vice-President, 
G. Bouchard, Secretary, and T. E. Bench- 
ley, Treasurer. The rooms of the Exchange 
are in the basement of the City Hall build- 
ing, on Front street. The Exchange hour 
is 11.45 a.m. 

Burial Places.— -See Cemeteries. 

Calliope.— The steam Calliope was in- 
vented in Worcester by J. C. Stoddard in 
1856. It is an adaptation of the steam 
whistle to the musical scale. Mounted on 
railroad trains it was used with great 
applause in the Fremont campaign, and 
has since been popular on river steam- 
boats, discoursing music that can be heard 
for miles. 

Camera Club, (The Worcester).— An 

association of amateur photographers 
formed in 1885 for mutual improvement. 
President, Dr. George E. Francis; Secre- 
tary, Paul Morgan; Treasurer, G. H. Cor- 
bett. The Club meets at the Natural 
History rooms, in Bank Block, Foster 
street, the second Thursday in each month. 

Canal.— See Blackstone Canal. 

Canal Basin.— The Holman Machine 
Shop occupies the site of the main or upper 
basin of the old Blackstone Canal, between 
Thomas and Central streets, just east 
of Union street. In 1828 there were few 
buildings between Main and Summer 
streets, in the long stretch of meadows be- 
tween Front street and Lincoln square. 
Several storehouses and stores were located 
around the basin, kept by Gen. Nathan 
Heard, the Earles, Geo. M. Rice, S. R. Jack- 
son and others. 

"Carl's Tour in? Main Street."— A 

series of sketches or reminiscences of old 
Worcester, published in the Worcester Pal- 
ladium in 1855, and twice reprinted in that 
paper. The "Tour" was the joint produc- 
tion of Hon. J. S. C. Knowlton and Claren- 
don Wheelock. The statements are not al- 
ways in strict accordance with historical 
accuracy, and dates are lacking, but the 
descriptions of old-time men, localities and 
events are deeply interesting. Sanford & 
Davis have recently published an edition of 
"Carl's Tour" in a neat 12mo. volume of 
246 pages. 

Carpet Manufactories.— In 1804 Peter 
and Ebenezer Stowell commenced the 
weaving of carpets here, and at one time 
had six looms of their own construction in 
operation. They made the first carpets 



15 



CAR— CHA 



used in the State House in Boston. There 
are at the present time two carpet manu- 
factories in the city which make Wiltons 
and Brussels. The late George Crompton 
established the latter manufacture in 1870, 
when the Crompton Carpet Company was 
organized. VV. J. Hogg, Sr., succeeded 
this company in 1879, and was in turn 
succeeded by his son of the same name, 
the present proprietor. In 1879 Mr. M. J. 
Whittall began the manufacture of Wil- 
tons and Brussels, which he still carries on 
extensively. Both mills are at South 
Worcester. 

Carriages, (Public).— John Crosby drove 
the first passenger carriage in Worcester 
in 1842. Fare from the depot to any part 
of the village, 17 cents. See Hack Fares. 

Cascade.— A small waterfall near Tat- 
nuck, on the road to Holden, (sometimes 
called the Silver Cascade.) The stream at 
some seasons does not flow in sufficient 
quantity to supply the cascade in volume, 
but in the Spring or after rainfall it can be 
seen at its best. 

Caterers.— Probably the first Worcester 
caterer was Alexander G. Vottier, a 
Frenchman, who came here in 1820. Au- 
gustus Marrs was well known in this line for 
thirty years from 1849. He had a restau- 
rant in Waldo Block. C. Rebboli, on Pleas- 
ant street; F. E. Marshall, on Front street; 
and L. J. Zahonyi, 348 Main street, are the 
principal caterers at the present time. 

Catholic Churches.— There are eight 
Roman Catholic churches in Worcester. 
The names and dates of formation are 
given below: 

St. John's, Temple street, 1846. 

St. Anne's, Eastern avenue, 1855. 

St. Paul's, Chatham street, 1869. 

Notre Dame des Canadiens, Park street, 
1869. (French.) This church edifice was 
built by the Methodists, (see Trinity 
Church), and sold by them to the Catholics 
in 1871. The building has been made over 
and its appearance entirely changed. 

Church of the Immaculate Conception, 
Prescott street, 1874. 

Church of the Sacred Heart, Cambridge 
street, 1880. 

St. Peter's Church, 935 Main street, 1884. 
; St. Stephen's Church, Grafton street, 1887. 

Causeway, (The).--The road built through 
Lake Quinsigamond to take the place 
of the old floating bridge. It was com- 
pleted June 27, 1862, at a cost of $25,997. 
See Floating Bridge. 

Cemeteries.— The first burying place in 
Worcester was on the site of the school 



house at the corner of Thomas and Summer 
streets. A portion of the Common was for a 
century used as a burying ground, till inter- 
ments there were forbidden in 1824. In 1853 
many of the bodies were removed, and the 
grave-stones of those remaining turned 
down and sunk below the surface. In 1795, 
a ground was opened in Mechanic street, 
and this was used for about fifty y^ars. 
The bodies were all removed in 1878. The 
Pine street ground, upon a part of which 
the Union Station and railroad improve- 
ments encroached, was opened in 1828, and 
used for some thirty years. Most of the 
bodies here have been removed. A Catho- 
lic burial place near Tatnuck, first used in 
1835, is still enclosed, but no interments are 
made there. 

Rural Cemetery, Grove street, the origi- 
nal tract (nine acres) for which was given 
by Hon. Daniel Waldo, was consecrated 
Sept. 8, 1838. It now comprises 40 acres. 
It is controlled by a private corporation. 
Horse cars from Main street pass the gate. 

Hope Cemetery, at New Worcester, is 
owned by the City, and was consecrated 
May 22, 1852. It originally comprised fifty 
acres, purchased in 1851 for $1,855. Addi- 
tions have increased it to 67 acres. 
Horse cars go to Webster square, a short 
walk from the gate. 

Other cemeteries now used are St. Anne's 
(Catholic), Shrewsbury street; St. John's 
(Catholic), South Worcester, opened in 1847, 
(horse cars through Southbridge street); 
the Swedish, Webster street, (near Hope 
cemetery), incorporated 1885; and the 
Notre Dame des Canadiens (French Catho- 
lic), Webster street, opened 1885. 

Central Church. — At the corner of 
Grove street and Jo Bill road. This fine 
edifice, the second owned by the Society, 
was first occupied in 1885. The land cost 
$20,000, the building $90,000, and the par- 
sonage $12,000. The first Central Church 
building is still standing on its original 
location in Main street, a few rods north 
of George street, and is now used for busi- 
ness purposes. It was erected by Hon. 
Daniel Waldo in 1823, and presented by him 
to the society. The Central Society was 
formed in 1820, and the present pastor, 
Rev. Daniel Merriman, D.D., was installed 
in 1878. It is the third Congregational, and 
the second Orthodox society in the city. 

Central Park.— See Common, (The) 

Chadwick Square.— At the junction of 
Grove and West Boylston streets. The 
horse railway through Grove street termi- 
nates here. 

Chamberlain District Farmers' Club. 

—Organized in 1873 for mutual improve- 



CHA— CIT 16 

ment in the science of farming. Meetings 
are held at the residences of members. 



Chandler Hill.— The eminence to the 
south of Belmont street, sometimes 
called Reservoir hill. The highest point 
is 721 feet above tide-water, and a view 
of the city and several adjacent towns 
may be had from the summit, which 
will well repay the effort of a few minutes 1 
walk from Lincoln square. The City has 
recently acquired this hill for a public park 
at a cost of $45,000. The tract purchased 
comprises about thirty-seven acres, and 
forms with East Park a public ground 
reaching from Shrewsbury street to Bel- 
mont street. 

Charitable Institutions.— See the dif- 
ferent titles in the Dictionary: Children" 1 s 
Friend Society ; Dispensaries ; Employ- 
ment Society ; Home for Aged Females ; 
Hospitals ; Old Men's Home ; Poor De- 
partment ; Temporary Home and Day 
Nursery, etc. There are charitable 
societies connected with many of the 
religious and other organizations. 

Chatauqua Literary and Scientific 
Circle. — There are three organizations in 
Worcester : Bryant Circle. — President, 
Mrs. E. M. Overholser; Longfellov) Circle. 
— Mrs. Henry Goddard, President; and 
Warren Circle.— L. T. Wilson, President. 

Cherry Valley.— A manufacturing vil- 
lage in Leicester two miles from Webster 
square. 

Children's Friend Society.— Formed 
in 1848 to "rescue from evil and misery 
such children as are deprived of their 
natural parents, and provide them a home 
until new ho Ties are found for them in 
suitable families.'" An estate given to the 
society by John W. Lincoln, located in 
Shrewsbury street, was occupied several 
years, until the removal to the present 
quarters at corner of Main and Benefit 
streets in 1867. The Home is in charge of 
a board of managers composed of prom- 
inent ladies, with an advisory board of 
gentlemen. 

Chinese.— In 1885 there were 18 China- 
men in Worcester, and the number 'at 
S resent is estimated at from 30 to 40. 
Lost of them are engaged in the laundry 
business. 

Chimes.— A chime of ten bells was pre- 
sented to Plymouth church in 1880 by 
E. A. Goodnovr, who has been a liberal 
benefactor of the church. The bells cost 
$5,500. They are sounded on Sundays, 
before the Wednesday evening meetings 



and occasionally on public holidays. 

Choral Union, (The Worcester).— The 

Mozart Society, formed in 1850, and the 
Beethoven Society, organized in 1864, unit- 
ed in 1866 to form the Mozart and Bee- 
thoven Choral Union, which was incorpo- 
rated in 1872 under the name of the Wor- 
cester Choral Union. It is auxiliary to the 
Worcester County Musical Association. See 
under Music. 

Christadelphian Church.— The Society 
worships at 460 Main street. Meetings of 
this sect were first held in Worcester in 
1867. 

Churches.— There are 54 church organ- 
izations in Worcester; and 46 church edi- 
fices. See under the different denomina- 
tions. 

Circuit, (The).— The drive-way along the 
margin of Lake Park on the south, west 
and north. The road on the three sides of 
the park is about one mile in length. 

Citadel.— The plan of the Committee to 
secure the re-settlement of Worcester, in 
1684, embraced a citadel or stockade to 
which the inhabitants might retreat in case 
of Indian attacks. It was laid out half a 
mile square on Mill brook, the southern 
boundary coming a little below and in- 
cluding Lincoln square. Within the en- 
closure the house lots of the early settlers 
were laid out. 

City Clerk.— The City Clerk has the 
custody of all the general records of the 
City; issues licenses for most purposes, 
including marriage licenses; records mort- 
gages of personal property and assign- 
ments of wages; registers births, mar- 
riages and deaths. He is ex-officio Clerk of 
the Board of Aldermen, a registrar of voters 
and keeper of the City Seal. There have 
been but three City Clerks since Worcester 
abandoned town government in 1848: 
Charles A. Hamilton to 1855; Samuel Smith 
to 1877; and the present incumbent, Enoch 
H. Towne. 

City Farm.— See under Poor Depart- 
ment. 

City Government.— The Government of 
the City is vested in the Mayor, eight Alder- 
men, one from each ward; and a Com- 
mon Council of twenty-four, or three from 
each ward. The Mayor holds office for one 
year, and the Aldermen and Councilmen 
for two years. 

City Guards, (Worcester).— Company 
A, Second Regt., M.V.M. The armory is at 



17 



CIT— CLO 



21 Mechanic street, Captain, William A. 
Condy. This company was organized in 
1840 as the Harrison Guards. It was 
attached to the Third Battalion of Rifles, 
and was in the first three months 1 service in 
the Rebellion, under Capt. A. B. R. 
Sprague. 

City Hall.— An unpretentious structure 
of brick at the corner of Main and Front 
streets,in which are located most of the local 
public offices, the rooms of the Mayor 
and Aldermen, and the Common Council. 
This building, now entirely inadequate for 
the purposes to which it is applied, was in 
its original proportions, erected in 1825, and 
known then and until 1848, when Worcester 
became a city, as the Town Hall. It has 
been enlarged and several times remodeled. 
The police station was for many years in 
the basement, and the District Court occu- 
pied part of the building until the removal of 
both to the Armory building on Waldo street. 

City Hospital.— See Hospital. 

City Missionary Society. — Formed 
Oct. 16, and incorporated Dec. 10, 1883, its 
object being to promote religion and 
morality in Worcester by the employment 
of missionaries. Rev. Albert Bryant was 
until recently City Missionary. This 
society has no connection with the one 
formed about 1850. Rev. Mr. Fox was the 
first City Missionary, and was succeeded 
by Deacon Moses Brigham. Rev. W. T. 
Sleeper followed in 1854 and continued 
till 1857 when Rev. Samuel Souther as- 
sumed the charge and also continued three 
years. The Ministry at Large was insti- 
tuted April 15, 1849, with Warren Burton as 
Minister at Large, and he was succeeded 
by Francis LeBaron. Ichabod Washburn 
built the Mission Chapel on Summer street 
in 1854 in aid of mission work. 

City Treasurer.— The City Treasurer 
is collector of taxes, receives and disburses 
the public money, and has the custody of 
the same. Office in the City Hall. John 
Boyden was the first City Treasurer from 
1848 to 1850. George W. Wheeler served 
from 1850 to 1872, and was succeeded by 
William S. Barton, at present in office. 

Civil Engineers.— The Worcester Coun- 
ty Society of Engineers is an associa- 
tion composed mostly of civil engineers, 
but to which mechanical engineers are ad- 
mitted. Hon. Phinehas Ball is President, 
and Arthur J. Marble, Secretary. 

Civil Service.— The Board of Examiners 
for Worcester consists of three members, 
who are appointed by the Civil Service 
Commissioners of the state. The present 



incumbents are F. W. Southwick, George 
H. Mellen and James Early. 

Clark University.— Founded in 1887 by 
Jonas G. Clark, who has endowed the insti- 
tution with $1,500,000. Two substantial 
buildings have been erected on Main street, 
opposite University park. The main build- 
ing is devoted entirely to lecture rooms and 
offices of the faculty. The chemical labora- 
tory is one of the most complete in the 
country, and contains about 50 rooms fitted 
up with the most modern chemical appara- 
tus. The foundations of another large 
building, to be erected between the main 
building and the chemical laboratory, are 
laid. Jonas G. Clark is President and 
Treasurer of the corporation ; Frank P. 
Goulding is Secretary ; G. Stanley Hall is 
President of the University. The full board 
of Trustees consists of Jonas G. Clark, 
Stephen Salisbury, Charles Devens, George 
F. Hoar, William W. Rice, John D. Wash- 
burn, Frank P. Goulding, George Swan, 
Edward M. Cowles. 

The purpose of the University is to afford 
means and opportunity for the highest 
education and original research. Unlike 
any other American University it has no 
distinctively undergraduate departments. 
It will aim to increase the sum of human 
knowledge, and transmit the highest cul- 
ture of one generation to the ablest youths 
of the next. The University opened Oct. 2d, 
1889, with the following five departments : 
Mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology 
and psychology. Other departments will 
be organized in the future. 

Clearing House Association.— Formed 
in 1863. Henry A. Marsh is chairman, and 
Lewis W. Hammond, secretary. Amount 
of Exchange for the year ending Sept. 30, 
1889, $54,868,239. 

Clothing Trade.— Benjamin Andrews, 
for many years a tailor in the town, adver- 
tised in 1802 "Ready-made Cloaths.' 1 The 
names of some Worcester tailors in early 
years, with approximate dates are here 
given : Calvin Foster, 1808; Thompson 
Kimberly, 1811 to 1830; Benjamin King- 
man, 1813 ; Benj. Phelps, 1815 ; Caleb 
Tebbetts, 1816 and years after; Varnum 
Brigham, 1822; Geo. C. Dean, 1823; Asa 
Walker, 1826 and nearly fifty years after; 
Leonard Brigham, 1830; Estes Smith, 1831. 
The oldest tailoring establishment in the 
city at present is represented by Brown 
& Estabrook. It was founded in 1824 by 
Albert Brown. L. W. Sturtevant and S. 
Parker began business in 1846. Henry M. 
Sikes offered " Gentlemen's Top-Coats, lat- 
est London Fashion " in 1819. W. D. Lewis 
dealt in ready-made clothing in 1838. 
Handy, Luther & Co. opened a clothing 



CLU— COM 



18 



store in 1842, and Bigelow & Longley are 
the successors of this firm through Luther 
& Freeland and C. W. Freeland & Co. The 
house of The Ware-Pratt Co. dates from 
1847, when A. P. Ware started the business, 
and D. H. Eames began in 1851. 

Clubs,— The principal social clubs in 
Worcester, are the Worcester, the Common- 
wealth, the Washington, Washington 
Social and the Arlington. The Quinsiga- 
mond Boat Club is largely social in char- 
acter. Several others, more or less prom- 
inent exist under various names. See the 
different titles in the Dictionary. 

Coal Clubs.— Clubs to purchase coal at 
wholesale have been formed among the 
employes of several of the large manufac- 
tories during the past three years. By 
combining, the members are enabled to ob- 
tain their year's stock of coal direct from 
the wholesale dealers at the seaports at a 
considerable reduction from the prices ex- 
acted by the coal dealers. I vers Gibbs was 
the first to engage in the scheme and dur- 
ing the winter of 1886-7 he purchased a 
large quantity of coal which was divided at 
satisfactory prices. His example was fol- 
lowed by others and within the last two 
years a large amount of coal has come to 
Worcester upon the orders from these 
clubs. 

Coal Mine.— Near the north end of Lake 
Quinsigamond. Previous to 1820 plumbago 
was obtained here, most of which was 
ground in West Millbury, and used to coat 
the bottom of vessels. Coal from the mine 
was first burned in 1822 by William Lincoln 
and Isaac Davis in the presence of Hon. Levi 
Lincoln and other prominent gentlemen. 
The mine was worked in 1823, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1824, an act of incorporation for the 
Massachusetts Coal Company was applied 
for. The coal was first used as fuel by S. 
B. Thomas, who kept a hotel here; it was 
also used at the brewery and by the Graf- 
ton Manufacturing Co. In 1827, Amos 
Binney purchased the mine, and the next 
year a horizontal passage was made 60 feet 
deep, 12 feet wide and 9 feet high. Several 
hundred tons were sold at $3.00 per ton. 
Failure to purchase the adjoining estate, 
and the death of the proprietor caused 
these operations to be abandoned, and the 
mine fell into disuse. The coal contained 
75 per cent, of carbon. In 1884, Joseph H. 
Perry of the High School found at the old 
mine a specimen of the very rare fossil 
coal plant, il Lepidodendron (Sagenaria) 
acuminatum'''' of which a notice appeared 
in the American Journal of Science for 
February, 1885. 

Coes Square.— New Worcester, where 



Beaver, Coes aud Lovell streets and Park 
avenue meet. 

Cold Spring. — The entrance to the 
Sanctuary (q. v.) at Lake Quinsigamond 
has long been known by this name on ac- 
count, doubtless, of the coldness of the 
water as it issues from the pool within. 

College of the Holy Cross.— A Roman 
Catholic institution of learning, situated on 
Mount St. James, Packachoag hill, south of 
the city. It was founded in 1843 by the Rt. 
Rev. Benedict Joseph Fenwick, Bishop of 
Boston, and was given by him to the 
Fathers of the Society of Jesus. In 1865 
it was incorporated by the Legislature with 
power and authority to confer degrees 
such as are conferred by any other college 
in the state, except medical degrees. "The 
object of the institution is to prepare 
youths for a professional, or for a commer- 
cial state of life." The course of studies 
embraces in its whole extent, a period of 
seven years, of which three are given to 
the preparatory and junior classes, and 
four to the senior. The last of these years 
are devoted to the study of Rational Phi- 
losophy and the Natural Sciences. The ac- 
ademical term commences the first Wed- 
nesday in September, and ends the last 
Thursday in June. Samuel Cahill is Pres- 
ident of the College. The College building 
is a conspicuous object when entering 
Worcester from the south. The grave of 
Bishop Fenwick, who died in 1846, is a 
short distance from the college. 

Colleges.— See College of the Holy Cross; 
Polytechnic Institute; Clark University. 

Colored Population. — According to the 
census of 1885 there were (including mulat- 
toes) 833 persons of color in Worcester. 
The social condition of this race has not 
improved here during the past forty years 
— in fact negroes are not treated with the 
consideration they were before the war, 
when Worcester was thought a paradise 
for the fugitive from oppression. There 
are a few well-to-do colored men here, but 
the majority are not prosperous. Col. G. 
W. Williams, the historian of his race, now 
resides in Worcester. 

Common, (The) or Central Park.— 

A small pleasure ground of 8 acres bounded 
by Main, Front and Park streets and Salem 
square. This ground was originally set 
apart in 1684 as a training field and was 
then of much larger proportions. It was 
encroached upon for other uses and its 
territory curtailed from time to time. 
A portion was used for burial purposes for 
a century previous to 1824, and in the year 
1719 the meeting house was allowed 



19 



COM— COO 



a place there when the first edifice was built, 
an act of hospitality which cost the city a 
heavy sum when the church was evicted 
in 1887. The Soldiers' Monument is at the 
lower end of the Common, and a short 
distance southwest of this is the fine mon- 
ument in memory of Col. Timothy Bigelow 
of the Revolution. 

Commonwealth Club.— This Club was 
organized in 1880, and incorporated Nov. 
29, 1881; its object being mutual, social and 
political improvement. Oscar F. Eawson, 
Albert A. Lovell, F. W. Blacker and Henry 
T. Farrar were the prime movers. The 
present officers are Wm. J. Hogg, Pres- 
ident; L. D. Thayer, Vice-President; James 
W. Allen, Treasurer; H. A. Currier, Secre- 
tary. The club occupies a fine suite of 
rooms in Bank Building, Foster street. 

Congregational Churches (Trinita- 
rian). — There are eleven Orthodox 
churches in the city. The names, location 
and dates of formation are given in the 
following list: 

First (Old South), corner Main and Wel- 
lington streets, 1719. 

Central, Salisbury street, 1820. 

Union, Front street, 1836. 

Salem Street, Salem square, 1848. 

Summer Street, 1865. 

Plymouth, Pearl street, 1869. 

Piedmont, corner Main and Piedmont 
streets, 1872. 

Swedes, Providence street, 1880. 

Pilgrim, 907 Main street, 1885. 

Church of the Covenant, 1885. 

Park, Russell street, 1887. 

See Unitarian Churches ; Tabernacle 
Church. 

Congregational Club, (The Worces- 
ter).— Was formed in 1874, and meets six 
times yearly for the discussion of subjects 
pertaining to Congregational polity. The 
membership is confined to clergymen and 
prominent Orthodox Congregationalists in 
the county, and is somewhat exclusive. 
A. M. Stone is president. 

Congressional District.— The State is 
divided into twelve Concessional Dis- 
tricts, the boundaries of which are deter- 
mined by the Legislature once in ten years, 
after the U. S. census. District No. 10, 
includes the city of Worcester, and the 
towns of Auburn, Barre, Boylston, Brook- 
field, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, Grafton, 
Hardwick, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, 
New Braintree, Northbridge, North Brook- 
field, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Princeton, 
Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spen- 
cer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, 
Uxbridge, Warren, Webster ,West Boylston 
and West Brookfleld, in Worcester County; 



and Brimfield, Holland and Wales in Hamp- 
den County. See Representatives. 

Continentals, (The Worcester). — A 

private military organization formed in 
1876. The uniform is a fac-simile of that 
worn by the Continentals in the Revolution. 
This company made its first public appear- 
ance in the Centennial Parade, July 4, 1876. 
Their armory is at the corner of Main and 
Foster streets, and the organization par- 
takes much of the character of a social 
club. Lt. Col. W. S. B. Hopkins is the 
commander. 

Co-operation. — There were several early 
attempts at cooperation in Worcester, one 
of which we notice under the name of "The 
Worcester Flour and Grain League" 
formed in 1855 to furnish its members with 
bread-stuffs, and other necessaries at first 
cost. Z. E. Berry was president, and A. L. 
Burbank secretary. This evidently was not 
a success, and like the Loan Fund Associa- 
tion formed about the same time (see next 
article) did not long exist. Probably the 
most notable enterprise in cooperation here 
was the First Worcester Cooperative Asso- 
ciation, formed in 1867, and which at first 
had a grocery store on Southbridge street, 
and later moved to Franklin square. The 
association was very successful for a time, 
but finally, after twenty years operation 
failed. The Sovereigns' 1 Cooperative Asso- 
ciation, organized in 1875, and chartered in 
1876, maintains with good success a grocery 
store on Pleasant street. It has no present 
connection with the Sovereigns of Industry. 
Prof. George I. Alden, and Joseph P. 
Cheney, Jr., have been respectively presi- 
dent and agent of the association from the 
first. 

The Progressive Cooperative Association 
whose store is at 60 Pleasant street, was 
formed in May, 1883, and incorporated June 
16, 1886. There are two Swedes 1 cooperative 
grocery stores, — one on Prospect street, 
the other at Quinsigamond village. The 
Knights of Labor Cooperative Boot and 
Shoe Association has a store at 122 Front 
street, for the sale of foot-wear and gentle- 
men's furnishing goods. During the past 
two years this enterprise has been conduc- 
ted with good results. The association has 
no connection with the order of Knights of 
Labor. D. F. Fitzgerald is manager and 
treasurer. The Worcester Cooperative 
Boot and Shoe Association was incorpora- 
ted April 19, 1888, with the purpose " to 
manufacture, buy and sell boots and shoes 
and other goods, and general merchandise 
on the cooperative plan." This association 
is largely composed of British Americans, 
with David Armitage as president. The 
store in Franklin square, managed by 
Thomas Jackson, has been quite successful, 



coo— cou 



20 



and the business is increasing in a satisfac- 
tory degree. 

There are many mutual benefit associa- 
tions in Worcester connected with the 
secret and fraternal orders, or maintained 
as such, some of the titles of which appear 
separately in the Dictionary. Probably 
the oldest benefit society, pure and simple, 
with which Worcester has to do is the 
Boston & Worcester Railroad Mutual 
Benefit Association, incorporated April 10, 
1855. This was formed in Know-Nothing 
times, and chartered by the Know-Nothing 
Governor, Henry J. Gardner; and article 
2nd of the constitution still reads: " No 
person shall become a member of this Asso- 
tion unless he be an American born, etc." 
The purpose is to insure a sum to each 
member sufficient to pay funeral expenses 
in case of death. 



The efforts at cooperation, especially as 
applied to distribution, have been numer- 
ous in Worcester County and City. A gen- 
eration ago, a modified or joint-stock form 
of cooperation spread over the state. The 
Protective Union, Div. 42, Front street, is a 
monument to the efforts put forth at that 

{>eriocl, and its benefits are still shared by the 
ucky few who own shares of stock in an 
institution which has been exceedingly well 
managed for a long term of years. 

The Worcester Cooperative Grocery 
Association was at one time an element of 
hope to those who believed that the system 
of distributive cooperation, which has 
proved to be such a power in Great Britain, 
would also develop the same results in an 
industrial field like Worcester. Their hopes, 
however, were doomed to disappointment. 
Manager succeeded manager in rapid suc- 
cession. Some of them went into competi- 
tive business on their own account, whilst 
all of them carried on the business of the 
cooperative store during their term of 
office in the same way that most retail 
grocery stores are carried on— that is, in 
giving credit to needy customers. Yearafter 
year the position of the association grew 
worse, until the business was wound up. At 
one time the association did a business of 
$100,000 a year. Bad debts, which true 
cooperation practice makes impossible, is 
accountable for this and many other fail- 
ures of cooperation in Worcester. 

While it may be proper to call attention 
to the fact that the recent cooperative 
associations which have gained a footing 
in Worcester, are supposed to withhold 
credit to members and traders, it is to be 
feared that the rule is not strictly lived up 
to in all cases, and hence the future career 
of some of these stores may be jeopardized 
by this false action on the part of their 
managers. The true cooperative idea is to 
buy and sell for cash. When this is ad- 



hered to successful cooperation is assured, 
provided the volume of trade transacted is 
sufficient to sustain the enterprise. 

In proof of this position, it may be well 
to notice the result of living up to the 
cooperative plan by the cooperative banks 
of this city. There are now three of them. 
The first, The Worcester Cooperative Bank, 
was chartered in October, 1877. The asso- 
ciation flourished, and its outgrowth has 
been two other cooperative banks, one or- 
ganized in June, 1882, and the other in 
March, 1887. These banks have issued 
shares to depositors, and made loans 
amounting to more than a million dollars, 
without the loss of a dollar of principal or 
interest on any loan. Here the true co- 
operative principle has been carried out, 
and the result has been gratifying to those 
who believe in the successful workings of 
cooperation. Unfortunately the same 
methods can not be invoked to keep mem- 
bers to their duty as cooperators, in the 
strict sense of the term, in any effort made 
to cooperate in distributive or productive 
cooperation. 

The Dictionary is indebted to David 
Armitage for many of the above facts. 

Co-operative Banks.— These institu- 
tions "aim to help people buy houses, pay 
off mortgages, build homes, and save 
money. These are Mutual Associations 
where the members lend the money they 
have to spare monthly, the borrowers giv- 
ing real estate security and paying inter- 
est. 11 An association with the above ob- 
jects was founded in Worcester and incor- 
porated April 25, 1854, under the name of 
the Mechanics Mutual Loan Fund Associa- 
tion, with Hon. H. W. Benchley as Pres- 
ident, and A. L. Burbank Secretary. It did 
not prove a success, though it was in exist- 
ence some four or five years. There are 
now three co-operative banks in successful 
operation in this city, the Worcester, incor- 
porated in 1877; the Home, in 1882; and the 
Equity, in 1887. These are located in the 
Walker building, 405 Main street, and Hon. 
Thomas J. Hastings is Secretary and Treas- 
urer of all of them. The First Sivedish 
Building Association, organized in 1886, is 
somewhat similar in character to the co- 
operative banks. 

Coroner.— See Medical Examiner. 

Councilor District.— The State is divi- 
ded by the Legislature into eight Councilor 
Districts, the last apportionment having 
been made in 1886, and will hold ten years. 
The Seventh Councilor District comprises 
the cities of Worcester and Fitchburg, and 
the following towns: Athol, Auburn, Barre, 
Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boylston, 
Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Dana, Doug- 



21 



COU— CEE 



las, Dudley, Gardner, Grafton, Hardwick, 
Harvard, Holden, Hopedale, Hubbardston, 
Lancaster, Leicester, Leominster, Lunen- 
burg, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, New 
Braintree, Northborougb, Northbridge, 
North Brookfield, Oakham, Oxford, Pax- 
ton, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, 
Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southborough, 
Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sterling, 
Sutton, Templeton, Upton, Uxbridge, War- 
ren, Westborough, Webster, West Brook- 
field, West Boylston, Westminister, in 
Worcester County; and Amherst, Belcher- 
town, Enfield, Granby, Greenwich, Hadley, 
Pelham, Prescott, South Hadley and Ware, 
in Hampshire Comity. The above towns 
are comprised in the First, Second, Third 
and Fourth Worcester, and the Worcester 
and Hampshire Senatorial Districts. 

County House.— See Jail. 

Court Hill.— At the north end of Main 
street. The County Court Houses are 
situated here. There were formerly three 
parallel roads at this point, at different 
grades, like terraces. The middle road 
was discontinued in 1832 by vote of the 
town. The bank wall was begun in 1852 
and completed the next year. The stone 
steps in front of the granite Court House, 
which descend into Main street, were pro- 
vided by the County Commissioners, the 
City paying the expense of putting them in 
position. 

Court Houses.— The two County Court 
Houses are located on Court Hill. The 
brick edifice was erected in 1802, and is 
used mostly for criminal sessions. The 
Granite Court House was completed in 
1845, and cost $100,000. A wing was added 
in 1878. Here are held the sessions of the 
Supreme and the Superior Courts, and the 
Probate and Insolvency Courts. The 
Registry of Deeds, Registry of Probate and 
other county offices are also located in this 
building. 

The Central District Court occupies a 
part of the old Armory Building in Waldo 
street. 

Court Mills.— The buildings which long 
stood at the entrance to Union street, in 
Lincoln square, on the site of the present 
Salisbury building. These mills were erec- 
ted and owned by Hon. Stephen Salisbury, 
and were occupied by the Ruggles, Nourse 
& Mason Co., later the Ames Plow Co., 
until the removal of the latter in 1874-5 to 
the new shop on Prescott street. The place 
of the Court mills is probably where Dr. 
Abraham Lincoln's " Trip Hammer Shop " 
stood, about the year 1800 or before. Later 
Earl & Williams had a shop here for the 
manufacture of carding and spinning 



machinery, and blacksmiths' work, which 
was destroyed by fire Jan. 5, 1815. 

Courts.— The Supreme Judicial Court 
meets at Worcester (jury sitting) on the 
second Tuesday in April, and (law sitting) 
third Monday after second Tuesday in 
September. 

The Superior Court sits for civil cases 
the first Monday of March; Monday next 
after the fourth Monday of August, and 
the second Monday of December. For 
criminal cases, third Monday of January 
and October, and second Monday of May. 

The Central District Court sits daily for 
criminal cases, and every Saturday for 
civil cases. District comprises Worcester, 
Millbury, Sutton, Auburn, Leicester, Pax- 
ton, West Boylston, Boylston, Holden and 
Shrewsbury. Samuel Utley is justice. 

The Court of Probate and Insolvency 
holds at Worcester on the first and third 
Tuesdays of every month except August. 
William T. Forbes of Westboro is judge. 

Cremation Society, (The Massachu- 
setts) .—Organized April 10, 1885, as the 
Worcester Cremation Society, and incor- 
porated in January, 1886, as the Massachu- 
setts Cremation Society. At the time of 
the upheaval of the Mechanic street bury- 
ing ground in 1878 the writer was, so far 
as he knows, the only outspoken advocate 
of cremation in Worcester, and probably 
the original one. The idea was then gen- 
erally condemned as heathenish and 
irreligious. The prime mover in establish- 
ing the society was Dr. J. O. Marble, who 
in the latter part of the year 1884, began to 
agitate the matter, and spoke and wrote 
much in its favor. The first officers were: 
President, J. Evarts Greene; Vice-Presi- 
dents, Edward L. Davis, Stephen Salisbury, 
Thomas H. Gage; Secretary, John O. Mar- 
ble; Treasurer, P. W. Moen; Directors, 
F. P. Goulding, E. H. Russell, Rev. C. M. 
Lamson, S. S. Green, Waldo Lincoln, W. 
B. Chamberlain, F. H. Dewey. Jr., Merrick 
Bemis, Emerson Warner. The present 
officers are: President, Waldo Lincoln; 
Vice-President, E. L. Davis; Secretary, Dr. 
J. O. Marble; Treasurer, P. W. Moen; 
Directors, Stephen Salisbury, E. L. Davis, 
Waldo Lincoln, E. H. Russell, G. E. Fran- 
cis, J. O. Marble, F. H. Dewey, W. B. 
Chamberlain, E. H. Brigham. The capital 
stock is $10,000, and the shares $10. The 
erection of a Crematory is contemplated. 
This should be placed in some locality 
remote from any cemetery, where that 
which is mortal can be resolved into its 
original elements free from surroundings 
or suggestions of 

"Corruption earth and worms." 

Those who regard the method with dis- 



CRI— DIS 



22 



favor because it is not customary, or are 
averse to it through tenderness for the 
dead, should consider that in both crema- 
tion and burial the process of resolution 
and the final result are the same; in the 
one case rapid, pure and complete; in the 
other slow, with all the horrible and dis- 
gusting accompaniments of prolonged 
decay. 

Cricket and Foot-Ball.— -The Worces- 
ter City Cricket and Foot-Ball Club was or- 
ganized in 1886. Joseph Stead is president. 

Crompton Park. — Between Millbury 
street and Quinsigamond avenue. Con- 
tains about 12 acres. This land was pur- 
chased of the Crompton heirs in 1888 for 
$44,350. 

Curtis Pond.— The large sheet of water 
at New Worcester, above the mills of Cur- 
tis & Marble, between Webster and Leices- 
ter streets. 

Daily Papers.— The Spy and Telegram, 
morning papers; and the Gazette and Times 
issued in the afternoon, comprise the 
dailies at present. See under the different 
titles in the Dictionary. 

Dale Hospital.— A. hospital for invalid 
soldiers established by the Government in 
1864, arid continued for a few months. 
The Medical College building on Union hill 
(now the Worcester Academy), was occu- 
pied for the purpose, and in addition 14 
barracks, each capable of accommodating 
60 patients were erected, with a number of 
store houses, work shops, etc. The hospi- 
tal was in charge of Maj. C. N. Chamberlin, 
and at times 600 were under his care. Tbe 
establishment was first occupied Oct. 24, 
1864, and formally dedicated Feb. 22, 1865. 
It received its name from Surgeon-General 
Dale. 

Daughters of Pocahontas.— Minne- 
haha Councir No. 5, meet at Odd Fellows 
Hall, Pearl street, second Wednesday of 
each month. 

Daughters of Samaria, (United Order 
of). — Supreme Council, and Lodge No. 1, 
instituted in 1887, meet at Grand Army 
Hall. 

Davis Park. — A small open plot of 
ground in Clinton street, named in honor of 
Isaac Davis. 

Day Nursery. — See Temporary Home 
and Day Nursery. 

Deathville. — A village in the town of 
Rutland, now known as West Rutland, 



some ten miles from Worcester. There is 
a Post-office here. The place received its 
name from the circumstance that Foster 
Death, a prominent manufacturer, owned 
a factory there about sixty years ago. 

Debt of the City for each year since 
its incorporation: 

1848, % 99,677 1869, % 773.290 

1849, 95,633 1870, 1,185,718 

1850, 96,996 1871, 1,899,808 

1851, 97,241 1872, 2,456,788 

1852, 101,829 1873, 2 687,910 

1853, 108,758 3874, 1,238,000 

1854, 98,567 1875, 1,711,000 

1855, 98,435 1876, 2.589,700 

1856, 118,955 1877, 2,492,300 

1857, 103,993 1878, 2.509,200 

1858, 100,188 1879, 2,507,100 

1859, 99,553 1880, 2,542,300 

1860, 99,429 1881, 2,580,200 

1861, - 102.324 1882, 2,582,300 

1862, 129,319 1883, 2,652,700 

1863, 208,414 1884, 2,947,700 

1864, 214,759 1885, 3,112,700 

1865, 364,459 1886, 3,389,700 

1866, 424,418 1887, 3,506,700 

1867, 458,305 1888, 3,383,700 

1868, 619,949 1889, 3,595,700 
The figures for the last years show the 

gross debt, without allowance for the sink- 
ing fund which on the 1st of December, 
1888, amounted to $1,014,659.07. 

Deeds, (Registry of).— See Registry. 

Depots. — See Railroad Stations. 

Directories of "Worcester.— In 1829 

Clarendon Harris published a Village Direc- 
tory accompanied by a copper-plate map. 
This was a " House Directory " similar in 
plan to the one issued in 1888 by Drew, 
Allis & Co. A Business Directory was pub- 
lished in 1843 by A. W. Congdon. Henry J. 
Howland began the publication of the 
present "Worcester Directory" in 1844. 
The first number was a 24mo. of 116 pages, 
and contained 1249 names. Twelve hun- 
dred copies were printed. Mr. Howland 
sold the Directory to Drew, Allis & Co., in 
1872, and they have published it contin- 
uously to the present time. It is now a 
stout octavo of some 800 pages. 

Disciples of Christ.— This church was 
organized Aug. 5, 1860, and for twenty-five 
years held its meetings on Thomas street. 
The present church edifice on Main street, 
at King street, was dedicated September 
12, 1886, and cost about $25,000. 

Dispensaries. — The Washburn Free 
Dispensary was established in 1874, and 
first occupied part of the old Abijah Bige- 



23 



DOG— ELM 



low house, at the corner of Front and 
Church streets. When that building was 
taken down the Dispensary was removed 
to No. 11 Trumbull street, and is now finally 
located at the Washburn Memorial Hospi- 
tal on Belmont street, of which institution 
it is a branch. It is open every day except 
Sundays. 

The Homcepathic Free Dispensary at 
13 Mechanic street, is under the manage- 
ment of the Worcester Homcepathic Dis- 
pensary Association. Patients are treated 
daily from 10 to 11 a.m., Sundays and holi- 
days excepted, and visits are made when 
required. The late Dr. W. B. Chamberlain 
was President; Dr. C. L. Nichols is Treas- 
urer, and Dr. C. O. Goodwin, Secretary. 

Dogs. — The law requires that all dogs 
three months old and over shall be licensed, 
and the licenses renewed annually on the 
first of May. The fee in Worcester is $3 
for males, and $6 for females. The licenses 
are issued by the City Clerk at his office in 
the City Hall. 

Drainage.— See Sewerage. 

Drama, (The), — See under Theatres. 

Dry Goods Trade. — Capt. John Lyon 
kept a small dry goods store in Worcester 
in the early part of the century, and was 
succeeded by his widow. Eliza Bancroft, 
(afterwards the wife of Hon. John Davis,) 
opened a shop in 1811, and dealt in the finer 
and fancy goods. She was followed by 
Elizabeth Denny in the same line. Henry 
M. Sikes was one of the earliest to engage 
in the dry goods trade exclusively. He was 
in business in Worcester from 1817 to 1827. 
D. G. Wheeler began in 1828, and was the 
first to advertise extensively. Others of 
this period were Jonathan Wood, 1822; 
A. & C. A. Hamilton, 1827; Wm. Manning, 
Jr., 1828; W. H. Swan, 1829; and later Swan 
& Williams; Thayer & Daniels, 1830 ; E. & 
R. Sanger and E. A. Brigham,1832; H. B. 
Claflin, afterwards the well-known New 
York merchant, was in trade here from 
1833 to 1843, and was succeeded by Hardon 
& Hunt. D. S. Messinger opened a store 
in 1834, and continued several years. 
Among those more or less prominent from 
1835 to 1845, were Richardson & Estabrook, 
Orrin Rawson,(succeeded by Martin Stowe), 
Julius L. Clark, B. F. Mann, J. H. Rickett, 
J. H. Everett and C. A. Upton, the latter 
continuing many years. H . H. Chamberlin, 
the founder of the present house of Bar- 
nard, Sumner & Co., established the 
business in 1835. H. H. Dayton was the 
pioneer in the fine lace and glove trade in 
1849, and was followed by Gross & Strauss 
in 1855. J. H. Clarke & Co. represent 
another old house in the general line, found- 



ed in 1847. Denholm & McKay succeeded 
Finlay, Lawson & Kennedy, and they J. S. 
Pinkham, who opened a store at the cor- 
ner of Main and Mechanic streets, some 
thirty years ago. 

Dungarven.— The region south of the 
Bloomingdale road and west of Suffolk 
street, well-known in police circles. The 
name is of Irish origin. Also known as 
Dutch hill. 

East Park — By an act of the Legisla- 
ture approved June 16, 1887, the city was 
granted the right to hold, occupy and con- 
trol free of rent or charge by the Common- 
wealth all the land belonging to the State 
lying between Shrewsbury street and East 
Shelby street, [part of the old Hospital 
tract] for the purpose of constructing and 
maintaining a Public Park. The tract thus 
acquired, containing from ten to twelve 
acres, has formally received the name of 
East Park from the Parks Commission. 
With the Chandler hill portion on the 
north, a public ground of nearly fifty 
acres is formed, extending from Shrews- 
bury street to Belmont street. 

Election or Voting Precincts.— £ee 

Wards. 

Electric Ughts.— The public streets 
were first lighted by electricity in 1883. 
There are now 195 lights furnished by the 
Worcester Electric Light Co., which cost 
55 cents each per night. 

Elm Park.— Bounded by Elm, Agricul- 
tural, Pleasant and Highland streets, 
March 15, 1854, the City purchased of 
Levi Lincoln, 13 acres and 70 rods of 
land, and of John Hammond, 13 acres and 
73 rods adjoining, for a public park. The 
sum paid for the two lots was $11,257.50. 
Hon. Levi Lincoln left at his death in 1868, 
$1000 as a fund for the improvement of the 
park. The tract remained unimproved for 
twenty years, and was used during that 
time as a place for circuses and other exhi- 
bitions, but had few of the features of a 
public pleasure ground. Under the efficient 
direction of Edward W. Lincoln of the 
Parks Commission, a wonderful transfor- 
mation has taken place during the last ten 
years, and the park is now the most attrac- 
tive public ground and the best thing in 
Worcester. In the winter the ponds are 
much resorted to for skating. The recent 
acquisition of Newton Hill, added to the 
original tract, opens to the public one 
of the finest prospects in the City. Horse 
cars go direct from Main street to the Park. 

Elm Square.— At the junction of Graf- 
ton, Orient and Hamilton streets. This 



EME— EMP 



24 



name is improperly applied, as the square 
was officially designated as Grafton square 
several years ago. 

Emergency and Hygiene Associa- 
tion.— The Worcester Branch. "In the 
winter of 1883, the Woman's Education As - 
sociation— following the example of the St. 
John Ambulance Association, organized in 
London in 1877, and of the State Charities 
Aid Association of New York, which estab- 
lished courses of lectures on "First Aid to 
the Injured," in 1882,— began a similar work 
in Boston. It undertook to provide, for 
both men and women, instruction which 
should fit them to be of use in cases of 
sudden illness or accident. Seven courses 
of lectures to free classes, and three to pay- 
ing classes, were given, the money received 
from the latter serving to defray the ex- 
penses of the former. As the value of 
these lectures became more fully recog- 
nized the work was carried forward with 
increased vigor in the following year. 
From January 1 to May 1, 1884, twenty- 
five courses of lectures, with practical dem- 
onstrations, were given, of which eight 
were to policemen and two to firemen. 
Each lecture occupied an hour, and was 
invariably followed by conversation be- 
tween members of the class and the lec- 
turer, with further demonstration, which 
often continued more than another hour. 
The close of each course was followed by an 
examination, and by the awarding of cer- 
tificates to those who ' passed it success- 
fully." 
The work above described having outgrown 
the limits imposed by the regulations of the 
"Woman's Education Association, a new 
body was formed under the name of the 
Massachusetts Emergency and Hygiene 
Association, having the purpose to extend 
the work through the State, with Dr. Fran- 
cis Minot as President, Miss Ellen M. Tower 
as Secretary, and Mrs. Kate Gannett Wells, 
Chairman of the Executive Committee. 
Many influential professional and business 
men were active in the organization, as 
well as several ladies well-known by their 
interest in practical philanthropy. Mrs. 
Wells was especially prominent in the 
undertaking. Branches were established 
in different places in the State. The Wor- 
cester Branch began under very favorable 
conditions in November, 1885, and the fol- 
lowing winter seven courses of lectures 
were given by prominent physicians to po- 
licemen, firemen, employes of several of 
the large manufactories, and others. This 
service has been repeated each year to the 
present time, with increasing zeal and in- 
terest in the work. Following substantially 
the plan and example of the central orga- 
nization, the Worcester Branch has, 
through its various and efficient commit- 



tees, carried out the purpose for which it 
was organized in a satisfactory degree, but 
for want of space a detailed account of its 
efforts, methods and results cannot be 
given here. The vice-presidents and 
those associated in the management 
and direction of the association comprise 
many of our most respected citizens and 
best known physicians. The Chairman of 
the Executive Committee is Dr. William C. 
Stevens and Prof. George E. Gladwin has 
been the Secretary from the begiuning. 

Emmet Guards.— This company was 
formed in 1860, and first paraded in public 
on the 11th of July, under command of M. 
J. McCafferty. It was and is composed 
entirely of Irishmen, and took the place 
of the Jackson Guards, disbanded by Gov. 
Gardner, during the Know-Nothing frenzy. 
The Emmet Guards served with the Third 
Battalion in Maryland, in 1861. The com- 
pany is now known as Co. G. of the Ninth 
Regiment Infantry, M. V. M. Captain, 
William Regan. The armory is at 44 Front 
street. 

Empire State Society.— An association 
composed of natives of New York state 
and members of their families, formed in 
1885. Alfred W. Rose is the president. 

Employment Society, (The Worces- 
ter).— This society had its origin in the 
organization known as the People's Club, 
which was formed in 1871, with Hon. 
Henry Chapin as president. The active 
work of the Club comprised three sections, 
viz.: Benevolent, hospitality and educa- 
tional. The benevolent section was sub- 
divided into three departments, from one 
of which— the Employment Committee — 
has come the above named society. From 
a report of the Benevolent Section of the 
Club in 1873 the following is quoted: "The 
relief committee send women, whom they 
find in want of work, to the employment 
committee, and thus the way is opened for 
the flower mission to send its sweet mes- 
sengers to homes of poverty, sickness and 
suffering." The reports of the club, in the 
three years of its existence, give abundant 
evidence of satisfactory work accomplished 
in all the lines undertaken. But through 
the reluctance of those who thoroughly 
believed in its methods to apply them- 
selves practically to the work, the club 
through lack of sufficient support in this 
direction, was at last given up. The even- 
ings with the newsboys were continued for 
some time, under the charge of ten ladies 
and gentlemen, who gave themselves 
most heartily to the work, which, though 
very difficult, was manifestly accomplish- 
ing much by means of its civilizing, refin- 
ing and educating influences; but for want 



25 



EPI— EXP 



of a generous response in the way of 
workers, this, too, was abandoned. 

The employment committee was organ- 
ized into a society, and its first annual 
treasurer's report appeared as a single 
small sheet in 1875-6. A board of managers 
was formed of ladies representing the 
different churches. In 1883 an act of 
incorporation was secured under the 
present name "for the purpose of assisting 
needy and deserving women by giving 
them employment." Fifteen churches 
are at present represented, the managers 
acting as solicitors in their respective 
churches. Each church receives in return 
twenty-five per cent, of its subscriptions 
in garments suitable for charitable distri- 
bution, the garments being disposed of at 
cost of making simply. It is believed that 
offering them at this low figure serves also 
in another charitable direction, by enabling 
those who have much need for family 
sewing and little time in which to do it, to 
buy strong and serviceable garments. The 
visiting committee are allowed $100 worth 
of the same to distribute among these 
women. The officers may dispose of 
clothing to the amount of $10 each. The 
number of women employed is 55. The 
visiting committee numbers 11, each one of 
whom has the responsibility of recom- 
mending five women. As far as can 
possibly be assured each woman employed 
must be honest and temperate. Most of 
those who come under the charge of the 
society are advanced in years, and left 
entirely to themselves for means of sup- 
port, with few exceptions. Others are 
younger— widows, or deserted by their 
husbands— with large families to care for. 
Working naturally with the church benev- 
olent societies, more or less, and in the 
absence of any association or bureau of 
charities, this organization has been able 
oftentimes to supply in a limited way, this 
deficiency in our city. 

The society has funds from legacies and 
other sources to the amount of about 
$3,500. The officers are: President, Mrs. 
Theo. Brown; Vice-President, Mrs. M. F. 
Pratt; Clerk, Miss Martha Hobbs; Treas- 
urer, Miss Mary N. Perley. There is a 
board of advisors of five gentlemen, and a 
board of lady managers from the different 
churches. Over 3000 garments were made 
and distributed last year. 

Episcopal Church.es.— An attempt to 
establish Episcopal worship here was made 
in 1835, and the first Protestant-Episcopal 
services were held here on December 13th, 
by the Rev. Thomas H. Vail. In 1843, 
another effort was made which succeeded, 
and in 1847 All Saints Church was erected 
on Pearl street, on the lot now occupied by 
the fine stone residence of Dr. J. O. Marble, 



generally known as the Dr. Bull house. 
This church was burned April 7, 1874, and 
the society purchased the lot at the corner 
of Pleasant and Irving streets, and erected 
the elegant brown stone structure in pres- 
ent occupation, which was consecrated 
Jan. 4, 1877. Rev. William R. Huntington, 
now rector of Grace Church, New York, 
was rector here from 1862 to 1883. Rev. A. 
H. Vinton is the present rector. In 1871, St. 
Matthew's Church at South Worcester was 
consecrated. St. John's on Lincoln street, 
and St. Mark's on Freeland street were 
formed in 1884 and 1888 respectively. 

Eucleia'. — See High School Societies. 

Exchange Hotel. — At the corner of 
Main and Market streets, is the oldest 
hotel in Worcester, known a hundred years 
ago as the M United States Arms." Wash- 
ington breakfasted here in 1789, on his way 
to Boston, and Lafayette was a guest in 
1825. Reuben Sikes, a large owner of stage 
lines, kept the house from 1807 to 1823, and 
it was known during this period as Sikes' 
Coffee House. Samuel B. Thomas succeed- 
ed, and it became Thomas' Temperance 
Exchange Coffee House, and later as the 
Exchange. It has been much resorted to 
by jurymen and others attending court. 
It is now owned and managed by H. Man- 
field, who has recently renovated it. 

Executions. — 

The Dictionary is indebted to Hon. Clark 
Jillson for the following list of executions 
in Worcester: 

1737, Hugh Henderson, alias John Hamil- 
ton, for burglary. 

1742, Jabez Green, for murder. 

1744, Edward Fitzpatrick, for murder. 

1745, Jeffrey, a negro, for murder. 
1768, Arthur, a negro, for rape. 
1770, William Lindsey, for burglary. 

1778, William Brooks, James Buchanan, 
Ezra Ross and Bathsheba Spooner, for 
murder. 

1779, Robert Young, for rape. 

1783, William Huggins and John Mans- 
field, for burglary. 

1786, Johnson Green, for burglary. 

1793, Samuel Frost, for murder. 

1825, Horace Carter, for rape. 

1845, Thomas Barrett, for murder. This 
was the first private execution in the 
county. 

1868, Silas and Charles T. James, for 
murder. 

1876, Samuel J. Frost, for murder. 

Explosions.— There have been several 
serious explosions in Worcester, the most 
remarkable of which was the dualin ex- 
plosion on the Boston & Albany railroad, 
near the Junction, June 23, 1870, when one 



EXP— FAI 



26 



man was killed, thirty persons injured, and 
many buildings shattered. On the 3d of 
May, 1850, an attempt to blow up Mayor 
Chapin's office, at the corner of Main and 
Sudbury streets, resulted in considerable 
damage to the building. This affair grew 
out of the temperance agitation, and the 

Jirincipal in the conspiracy fled. Jan. 1, 
859, an engine house in the school yard, 
corner of Pleasant and Oxford streets, 
was totally destroyed by an explosion of 
gas, and on the 22d of July, of the same year, 
the boiler at the wire mill on Grove street, 
30 feet long, 4 feet diameter and weighing 

5 tons, exploded, shattering the building, 
injured several workmen, shot into the air 
300 feet, and landed in a yard on Lincoln 
street, ii of a mile distant. Mayor Blake 
lost his life by a gas explosion on the 16th 
of December, 1870. 

Express Business.— Before the rail- 
roads were in operation every stage-driver 
and post-rider performed the functions of 
an expressman. The pioneer in this coun- 
try of the express business as carried on 
to-day was Rufus W. Whiting, who kept a 
shoe store in Worcester as early as 1833. 
In the Spy of Nov. 21, 1838, he advertised 
that he had made arrangements with the 
Boston & Worcester Railroad Company to 
occupy part of a car, and that he would 
make daily trips each way, and attend to 
the business of his patrons, beginning Mon- 
day, Nov. 26. It is uncertain how long Mr. 
Whiting continued his trips between Wor- 
cester and Boston, but he probably retired 
before 1840. It is said that he was the first 
to engage in the milk traffic over a railroad 
by transporting it from the country towns 
into Boston. On the first day of August, 
1840, Samuel S. Leonard established the 
business so long known by his name, and 
continued by his sons. The same year 
Harnden's Boston, New York, Philadelphia 
and Baltimore Express was established, 
with Simeon Thompson as agent in Wor- 
cester; and soon after P. B. Burke and 
Alvin Adams founded the company which 
bears the name of Adams Express at the 
present time. J. B. Tyler was their agent 
In Worcester. Harnden run the first ex- 
press over the Western Railroad, but 
abandoned it after a year's trial. Thomp- 
son & Co's. express to Albany was early 
established, and the present American 
Express Co. is their successor. In 1847 
Johnson, Mowton & Co. started an opposi- 
tion express between Worcester and Boston, 
which was discontinued in 1848. William 
Ross's express from Providence to Worces- 
ter began with the running of the railroad 
in 1847; and Liberty Bigelow established 
the express afterwards owned by Cheney 

6 Fisk, and now called the United States 
and Canada, running over the Worcester & 



Nashua Railroad. In 1856 Caleb S. Fuller, 
formerly a conductor on the Norwich & 
Worcester Railroad established the Nor- 
wich express, which was continued by his 
son, Theo. S. Fuller. 

In 1860 Earle's Boston and Providence 
Express, Ross's Providence and Worcester, 
and the Leonard Boston and Worcester, 
consolidated under the name of the Earle 
Express Company, with a capital stock of 
$150,000. This company controlled the 
approaches to Boston from the south and 
west, and the Adams Express Company 
were obliged to forward their local freight 
for eastern Massachusetts in charge of the 
Earle company. After considerable effort 
the Adams purchased the stock and fran- 
chise of the Earle, and the latter ceased to 
exist. The present Boston and Worcester 
Dispatch was established by T. W. Davis 
in 1872. Previous to this J. H. Osgood had 
made trips for a year or two. Gen. S. H. 
Leonard, of the old Leonard Company, is 
concerned in the present management of 
the Boston and Worcester Despatch. 

Express Companies and Expresses. 

— American Express Co., 30 Front street, 
Albany and the West. 

Adams Express Co.. 375 Main street, Bos- 
ton and New York. 

Boston & Worcester Despatch, 8 Foster st. 

Clinton, 14 Pearl street. 

Earle <& Frew's Express Co., 18 Mechanic 
street, Boston and Providence, New York. 

Erie Express Co., Franklin square, Chi- 
cago and the West. 

Grafton, 24 Mechanic street. 

Holden, 154 Main street. 

International Express Co., Franklin 
square, New York, Providence. 

Leicester, 92 Front street. 

Millbury, 404 Main street. 

North Brookfleld, 369 Main street. 

Oakdale, 24 Pearl sireet. 

Oxford, 24 Pearl street. 

Paxton, 18 Mechanic street. 

Neiv England Despatch, Franklin square, 
Portland. 

Shrewsbury, 24 Pearl street. 

Spencer, 24 Pearl street. 

Upton, 6 Norwich street. 

Eyrie, (The).— The high elevation on 
the Shrewsbury side of Lake Quinsigamond, 
south of the causeway, improved and 
owned for many years by Mr. T. C. Rice, 
who has maintained a house of popular 
resort, much frequented in the summer 
season. A delightful view of the Lake may 
be had from this place. Mr. Rice has re- 
cently sold the property. 

Fairmount.— In 1846 Dr. John Green 
purchased of Eli Goulding a tract of land 
north of Rural Cemetery, comprising 94 



27 



FAI— FIR 



acres and 74 rods, for $7,000. This included 
the eminence known as Fairmount. Dr. 
Green sold a strip of this land to the 
Nashua Railroad Company for $1,000; and 
in 1849 David S. Messinger bought the 
remainder, about 90 acres, for $14,000. Mr. 
Messinger improved the tract for building, 
laying out eeveral streets, to which he gave 
names noted in literature. He also gave 
the name Fairmount to the locality, which 
is often, though incorrectly called Messin- 
ger Hill. Fairmount square, on the sum- 
mit was recently deeded to the City by Mr. 
Messinger. Horse cars go through Grove 
street. 

Fire Alarm Telegraph.— Number and 

ocation of signal boxes: 

12 Corner of Main and Chandler streets 

13 Webster square, New Worcester 

14 Hose One's house, School street 

15 Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Co's yard 

16 Sargent Card Clothing Co. shop,Southbridge 

street 

17 Corner of Main and Foster streets 

18 Corner of Lincoln and Catherine streets 

19 Corner of North and Grove streets 

121 Corner of Piedmont and Davis streets 

141 Union street, Loring & Blake's shop 

21 Corner Main and May streets 

23 Rice, Barton & Fales' foundry, Union street 

24 Corner Southbridge and Southgate streets 

25 Witherby.Rugg & Richardson's, Salisbury st 

26 Corner of Portland and Madison streets 

27 Corner of Pleasant and West streets 

28 Corner of Milbury and Worth streets 

29 Tatnuck 

213 Corner of Main and Wyman streets 

231 Foster street, near Cutting <fc Bishop's shop 

271 Corner of Pleasant and Chestnut streets 

281 Corner of Ward and Taylor streets 

291 Chandler street, corner June 

31 Corner Main and Richards streets 

32 Corner of Exchange and Union streets 

34 Corner Green and Bradley streets 

35 Corner Winthrop and Vernon streets 

36 Corner of Front and Spring streets 

37 Corner of Highland and North Ashland sts 

38 Salisbury street, opposite Highland Military 

Academy 

39 Thayer's Factory, Valley Falls 

833 No School Signal, struck at 7.55 am. <fc 1.15 pm 

341 Fox street, corner Ingalls 

342 Columbia street, corner Arlington 
371 West street, near W. P. Institute 

4 City Hall, Front street 

41 Coiner of Thomas and Summer streets 

42 Corner of Cambridge and Southbridge sts 

43 Quinsigamond, Wire Mill office 

45 Corner of Slu-ewsbury and East Worcester 

streets 

46 Hose Two's house, Grafton street 

47 Corner of Belmont street and Oak avenue 

48 Corner of Southgate and Camp streets 

49 Park avenue, corner May street 
416 Hanover street, corner of Arch 

451 Corner of Prospect street and Eastern ave 

452 East Central street, corner Eastern ave 
491 Park avenue, corner Shirley street 

5 Trumbull square 

51 Lincoln square, corner of Main street 

52 Prescott street, Richardson M'f'g Co. 

53 Corner of Providence and Harrison streets 

54 Belmont street, State Lunatic Asylum 

56 Corner of William and Chestnut streets 

57 Hermon street W. C. Young & Co's factory 

58 Coiner of Woodland and King streets 



59 Lincoln street, cor. Green lane 

521 Prescott street, near North 

541 Bloomingdale Cement Pipe Works 

6 Corner Laural and Edward streets 

61 Gardner street, Forehand & Wadsworth's 

62 Corner of Orange and Plymouth streets 

63 Washington square, Forrest House 

64 Corner of Grafton and Barclay streets 

65 Ehn street, corner of Linden 

67 Hose Six's House, Pleasant street, corner 

Winslow 

68 Graton <fc Knight's tannery, Bloomingdale 

street 

69 Elm square, corner Grafton street 
621 Washington street, corner of Gold 
631 Worcester Steel Works 

7 Hose Seven's House, Lamartine street 

71 Corner of Main and Central streets 

72 Corner of Austin and Newbury streets 

73 Corner of Wachusettand Dix streets 

74 Windsor street and Harrington avenue 

75 Corner of May and Woodland streets 

76 Corner of West and William streets 
78 Lake View 

721 Wellington street, opp. Jaques avenue 

61 Elm street, corner of Sever 

8 Corner of Chatham and Irving streets 

81 City Poor Farm 

82 Corner of Cambridge and Pitt streets 

83 Park avenue, corner Sunnyside street 

84 Pakachoag Mills, Brussels street 

85 Corner of Benefit and Beacon streets 

87 Putnam Lane and East Worcester streets 

9 Rear of Scott's block, Franklin square 

91 Corner of West Boylston and Mulbrook sts 

92 Chandler and Dewey streets 

93 Goes square 

94 Corner of Charlotte and Clifton streets 

95 Lincoln street, Adams square 

Two blows, re-call; 3 blows, 2d alarm ; 3 blows 
repeated, 3d alarm. In case of Fire, go to the 
nearest Box, pull the hook down once, and let go. 

Fire Department. — The Worcester 
Fire Department was established Feb. 25, 
1835. Previous to that time the town relied 
upon volunteer organizations, the principal 
of which was the Worcester Fire Society 
noticed below. The Mutual Fire Society, 
formed in 18*22, was another body of similar 
character, and there was also a hook and 
ladder company. The Town Fire Depart- 
ment was organized by the choice of 
Isaac Davis as chief engineer, and a board 
of eight assistants. A list of chief en- 
gineers to the present time is here given: 
Isaac Davis, 1835-6; Nathan Heard, 1837-9; 
Henry W. Miller, 1840-44; Joel Wilder. 
1845-9; E. N. Holmes, 1850-4; L. W. Stur- 
tevant, 1855-8; S. A. Porter, 1859; L. R. 
Hudson, 1860; Alzirus Brown, 1861-5; A. B. 
Lovell, 1866-8; R. M. Gould, 1869-71; Simon 
E. Combs, 1872 to the present time. 
Before 1860, when the first steam fire 
engine was purchased, only hand engines 
were used, and some of these remained 
ten or twelve years later. The Fire Alarm 
Telegraph was constructed in 1871, and 
first used on the 28th of June. It has cost 
$17,000. Worcester has now one of the 
most efficient fire departments in the 
country. It comprises three steamers, one 
extinguisher, two hook and ladder com- 
panies, and ten hose companies, with a 



FIR— FLO 



28 



total force of 180 men. In addition the 
Insurance Fire Patrol numbers eight men. 
(See Protective Department). The appa- 
ratus includes a Hayes truck. The sum 
appropriated to maintain the department 
the present year (1889) is $68,700. 

Fire Escapes.— The public halls, hotels, 
and business and other buildings are gen- 
erally provided with fire-escapes in com- 
pliance with a law of the State. 

Fire Patrol.— See Protective Depart- 
ment. 

Firemen's Relief Association, (Wor- 
cester).— Formed in 1874 and incorporated 
in 1878. Only members of the Fire and 
Protective Departments are eligible to 
active membership. In case of injury or 
sickness a fireman draws $10 per week, 
and may receive further assistance. The 
association has a fund of several thousand 
dollars. J. S. Perkins is president. 

Fires.— The following comprise some of 
the most disastrous fires that have occur- 
red in Worcester: Feb. 18, 1815, the bake- 
house of the Flagg brothers and house of 
Samuel Brazer were totally destroyed. 
Loss $10,000. On the same spot on the 29th 
of Jan., 1854, was burned the Flagg build- 
ings with a loss of $50,000. The old Cen- 
tral Exchange and other buildings were 
burned March 6, 1843. The Bradley & Rice 
car shops in Washington square were de- 
stroyed May 12, 1842. Loss, $20,000. Holy 
Cross College was burned in July, 1852. 
The Merrifield fire occurred June 16, 1856, 
and was the most destructive of all the fires 
in Worcester. The pecuniary loss was half 
a million and many establishments were 
burned out, and hundreds of workmen 
thrown out of employment. (See Merrifield 
Buildings). The fire next to this in magni- 
tude of loss was at Taylor's building oppo- 
site the Common, May 28, 1875. The Wor- 
cester. Theatre on Exchange street, was 
totally destroyed on the morning of May 16, 
1889. 

Fire Society, (The Worcester).— On 

the 21st day of January, 1793, twenty-two 
prominent citizens of Worcester, "in- 
fluenced by a sense of social duty,' 1 and 
"for the more effectual assistance of each 
other and of their townsmen, in times of 
danger from fire," formed themselves into 
an association, with the title above given. 
Among the names subscribed to the first 
agreement we find those of Hon. Joseph 
Allen, Judge Nathaniel Paine, Dr. John 
Green, Hon. Edward Bangs, Dr. Elijah 
Dix, Stephen Salisbury, Daniel Waldo and 
Isaiah Thomas; and many distinguished 
names have since been placed upon its 



rolls. Governors Lincoln, Davis, Wash- 
burn and Bullock; U. S. Senators Davis 
and Hoar; Francis Blake, E. D. Bangs, 
S. M. Burnside, Pliny Merrick, Thomas 
Kinnicutt, A. D. Foster, I. M. Barton, S. F. 
Haven, Dwight Foster and Charles Devens 
are among those who have at different 
periods graced the meetings of the society 
with their presence. The organization 
from the first was largely of a social 
character, and for the last fifty years has 
been entirely of that nature, its active ser- 
vice probably ending before or at the time 
of the formation of the Worcester Fire 
Department in 1835. From the first its 
bias was aristocratic, and it has always 
been maintained as an exclusive body. 
Its membership is limited to thirty. The 
annual suppers of the society have of late 
years been occasions of much interest and 
enjoyment to the members; and reminis- 
cences of deceased associates given at these 
gatherings have been preserved in printed 
form, and furnish almost all we know 
to-day of many of the prominent residents 
of the town in years gone by. 

In 1822 another society of similar order 
was formed, called the Mutual Fire 
Society, which maintained its organization 
some twenty-five years; and still another, 
called the Social Fire Society, was in 
existence a few years. These never at- 
tained the standing of the first society, 
though many respectable and worthy 
citizens belonged to them. 

Five Points.— A place in the northeast 
part of Worcester where five roads meet. 
It is a short distance from the "Summit 1 ' 
station. 

Flat, (The).— A name given the level 
tract in the vicinity of Dewey, Mason and 
Parker streets, running south of Pleasant 
street, where from 1852 to 1856 an extensive 
real estate transaction was carried on by 
F. H Dewey, Joseph Mason, Samuel P. and 
Leonard Harrington, Ebenezer E. Abbott 
and others. It was sometimes called "Ab- 
bott's Flat." 

Floating Bridge.— In 1817, a bridge at 
Lake Quinsigamond, at the point where 
the causeway now is, which was construc- 
ted somewhat upon the principle of a 
wharf, and then loaded with stones and 
earth, gave way and disappeared, after an 
expenditure of $10,000. Sometime later a 
bridge was constructed on the ice in the 
winter and secured at each end by chains. 
This formed the floating bridge which was 
removed when the causeway was built. See 
Causeway. 

Flora.— A list of the Flora of Worces- 
ter county, compiled by j Joseph Jackson 



29 



FOR— FRE 



has been published in pamphlet form by 
the Worcester Natural History Society. 

Foreign Blood Population of Wor- 
cester.— (Estimate.) 

Armenians, .... 500 

Chinese, 35 

Colored, "... 900 

French Canadians, . . . 8,000 
Germans, .... 1,200 

Irish 25,000 

Italians 200 

Jews, 500 

Scandinavians, . . . 7,000 

43,335 
The number of others of foreign blood is 
not known. Of the above the Catholics 
number 33,000 in a total (estimated) popula- 
tion of 82,000. 

Fossil Coal Plant.— See Coal Mine. 

Franklin Square.— Where Main and 
Southbridge streets meet. The new Govern- 
ment building will face the square if 
Scott's block ("Flatiron building") is taken 
away. 

Rev. George Allen informed the writer 
that about the year 1830, an effort was 
made by himself and his brother, Judge 
Charles Allen, to induce those living in the 
vicinity to subscribe the sum uecessary to 
purchase the triangular piece of land com- 
prising the part occupied by Scott's block 
and about half o? the new post office lot, 
which could have been had for $40, and in- 
close it as a public ground. It was impossi- 
ble, however, to raise the money, and the 
project was abandoned. 

Free Church.— A Free Church was 
organized in Worcester in 1852, with 
Thomas Wentworth Higginson as pastor. 
The society at first occupied Horticultural 
Hall, and afterwards Washburn Hall. 
David A. Wasson succeeded Mr. Higginson. 

Free Institute of Industrial Science, 
(Worcester County). — Name changed in 
1887 to Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 
See Polytechnic Institute. 

Free Public Library.— Towards the 
close of the year 1859, the late Dr. John 
Green and the Lyceum and Library Asso- 
ciation offered to give, upon certain condi- 
tions, to the city of Worcester, libraries 
containing respectively 7000 and 4500 vol- 
umes, to form the nucleus of a public 
library. The offer was accepted by the 
City Government, and an ordinance estab- 
lishing the Free Public Library was passed 
December 23rd, of the same year. The 
library was opened to the public in Worces- 
ter Bank Block, Foster street, April 30, 



1860. In accordance with a stipulation 
made in the deed by which Dr. Green 
transferred his books to the city, the latter 
bought from Hon. Emory Washburn a lot 
of land on Elm street, at an expense of 
$5,042, and began the erection of a library 
building. The corner-stone of that building, 
which is the one now occupied by the 
library, was laid July 4, 1860; it was com- 
pleted in 1861, at a cost, including the lot, of 
about $30,000, and thrown open to the public 
September 4th of that year. The present 
building having become filled with books, 
and having ceased to afford room enough 
to the readers and students, who wish 
to use it, the city bought in 1888 an 
estate adjoining the library lot on 
the east for $35,000, and in the summer of 
1889 began to put up a new building which 
is to be used in connection with the exist- 
ing structure, and finished according to 
the contract, January 1, 1891. The estimat- 
ed cost of the new building and furniture 
is $100,000 exclusive of the amount paid for 
the land. At the start the library consisted 
of 11,500 volumes; December 1, 1888, the 
date of the last annual report, it had 73,669 
volumes, divided among the different de- 
partments as follows: Green or reference 
library 22,255, Intermediate Department 
17,520, Circulating Department 33,894. The 
books have been selected with especial 
reference to the needs of the residents in 
Worcester and the library, therefore, while 
well supplied with works in the different 
branches of knowledge, is particularly rich 
in the departments of chemistry, physics, 
mechanics and the fine and industrial arts. 
According to the first annual report of the 
library, 31,454 volumes were used by fre- 
quenters in the eight months covered by 
the report. During the last year, which 
ended November 30, 1888, 206,290 volumes 
were either taken to the homes of residents 
or used within the library building. The 
aim in the library is to establish pleasant 
personal relations between the frequenters 
of the library and its officers, and all per- 
sons having questions to ask, answers to 
which may be found in books, are cordially 
welcomed, encouraged to ask questions, 
and sympathetically aided in getting 
answers to them. There were used 61,424 
volumes during the last year by persons 
seeking information on secular days within 
the library building. The library has 
become distinguished for the value and 
efficiency of the aid which it has rendered to 
the teachers and scholars of the public and 
private schools of Worcester. A reading- 
room was founded in connection with the 
library in 1865. It contains nearly 300 
reviews, magazines and papers. 

Dr. Green died in 1865, and left by will 
$30,000 to the library mainly to endow his 
department of it. One provision of the 



FEE— FEE 



30 



bequest is that one quarter of the income 
shall be added to the principal every year. 
The Green Library Fund amounted Novem- 
ber 30, 1888, to $43,117.91. Hon. Georsre F. 
Hoar raised by subscription $10,000 or 
$11,000, which constitutes a Reading-room 
Fund, the income of which is used in pay- 
ing annual dues for reviews, magazines 
and papers. The expenditures of the last 
library year were $21,357.26. The income 
was as follows: City appropriation $14,500, 
dog license money $4,006.89, income from 
Green Library Fund $1,772.87, income from 
Reading-room Fund $462.48, receipts from 
fines, etc., $563.63. December 8,1872, the 
reading rooms and library for purposes 
of reference, were thrown open to the 
public on Sunday. The Free Public Library 
was the first public library in New England 
to open its doors on Sunday. During the 
last ten years 13,867 persons on an average 
have used the library annually on that day 
of the week. The librarians have been 
Zephaniah Baker, Feb. 17, 1860 to Jan. 14, 
1871, and Samuel Sweet Green, Jan. 15, 
1871. Mr. Green belongs to the progres- 
sive school of librarians, and is a prominent 
member of the American Librarians 1 Asso- 
ciation. He has originated and introduced 
new methods in library management, and 
is the author of several treatises upon sub- 
jects pertaining to his occupation. The 
office hours of the librarian are 10 a.m. to 
1 p.m., 3 to 6 p.m.; Sundays 3 to 5 p.m. The 
circulating department is open for the de- 
livery and return of books from 9 a.m. to 
8 p.m.; Saturday, open until 9 p.m. The 
upper reading-room, which is the room of 
the Green Library, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 
r.M.; the lower reading-room from 8 a.m. to 
9.30 p.m. Sunday, both reading-rooms open 
from 2 to 9 p.m. The books of the circulat- 
ing department can be taken to their 
homes freely by residents who have reached 
the age of fifteen years. Books belonging 
to the intermediate department can be 
taken out under certain conditions. Books 
in the reference department which were 
given to the Library by Dr. Green, or which 
have been bought with the income of the 
Green Library Fund, can only be used in the 
library building. Every facility is afforded 
there, however, for their use. The books 
of the Worcester District Medical Society 
are kept in the Free Public Library build- 
ing, and may be consulted on the same 
easy conditions which prevail in regard to 
the use of the Green Library. The library 
building is No. 18 Elm street. The former 

E residents of the Board of Directors have 
een Hon. Alexander H. Bullock, Hon. 
William W. Rice, Hon. Stephen Salisbury, 
Hon. George F. Hoar, Hon. Thomas L. 
Nelson, Hon. Peter C. Bacon, J. Evarts 
Greene, Esq., Rev. Dr. William R. Hun- 
tington, Hon. Francis H. Dewey and 



Hon. Francis A. Gaskill. Following 
are the names of the present Board 
of Directors: J. Evarts Greene, George 
Swan, Thomas Griffin, E. Harlow Russell, 
John O. Marble, A. George Bullock. Edward 
B. Glasgow, Moses H. Harris, Philip L. 
Moen, Burton W. Potter, Edward I. Com- 
ins, Waldo Lincoln. Mr. J. Evarts Greene 
is President of the Board and Mr. Edward 
I. Comins, Secretary. 

Free-Thinkers.— Although Worcester 
has been known in the past by its conser- 
vatism in religion and politics, it has also 
been the birth-place of several noteworthy 
liberal movements, religious and political. 
The free-thinking element has existed here 
in considerable numbers and force, in all 
degrees, from the Unitarian of high culture 
down to the iconoclastic Nihilist, " who is, 
but was not, nor to be." Considerable 
" Lafidel M literature has been published 
here. The Liberal Tract Society, in 
existence some twenty years ago, printed 
hundreds of thousands of tracts, and em- 
ployed a colporteur to distribute them, with 
Paine 1 s "Age of Reason," broadcast over 
the country. Some of these tracts are very 
curious, adorned with strange wood-cuts 
to emphasize the argument. The Anthro- 
pological Society, formed in 1868, used to 
meet in Crompton's block, but did not 
retain its organization after 1875. It had 
several able members and sensible men, 
but the ranting element was largely repre- 
sented, and perhaps caused its downfall. 
Prof. William Denton, Parker Pillsbury, 
Ingersoll, and other distinguished liberals 
and infidels used to speak often in Worcester. 

French-Canadians. — The Dictionary is 
indebted to a prominent French citizen for 
the f oUowing concise statement : French- 
Canadian population in Worcester, about 
8,500; number of voters, 600; business men, 
100. There are two French schools: Notre 
Dame, and St. Joseph and Ste. Anne, with 
1,200 pupils. There are two French Catholic 
churches: Notre Dame des Canadiens, and 
Church of St. Joseph. The first was formed 
in 1869. The church edifice on Park street, 
was formerly that of the Methodists, but 
the appearance is now very different. 

French-Canadian societies: 5 religious, 
2 choral, 1 dramatic, 3 literary, 1 commer- 
cial union, 1 musical, 2 national. There 
are three naturalization clubs, in Wards 3, 
5 and 6; and one Republican club. The 
Garde Lafayette and Garde Nationals 
are military companies. The principal 
French-Canadian societies are: Societe St. 
Jean Baptiste, organized 1868, and Union 
St. Joseph, formed in 1885, both of the 
mutual benefit order. The former has 
nearly 800 members, and about $8,000 in 
bank; yearly receipts and expenses, about 



31 



FRI— GRA 



$12,000. The latter has about 300 members 
with $1,500 in bank. Of the two French 
newspapers, Le Travailleur is the oldest, 
established in 1874. Le Courrier de Wor- 
cester was established in 1884. There is 
also a yearly publication, Le Worcester 
Canadien. There are perhaps twenty -five 
native Frenchmen in Worcester. 

Friends or Quakers. — The number in 
Worcester at present probably does not 
exceed one hundred. Meetings were held 
in Worcester as early as 1845, a room in 
Paine's block, at the corner of Main and 
Walnut streets being occupied at first. In 
1847 the Friends 1 Meeting House on Oxford 
street was erected, and is still in use. The 
first meeting held here was on the 1st of 
January, 1848. The land on which the 
meeting house stands was given by Anthony 
Chase and Samuel H. Colton, two prom- 
inent quakers of Worcester. 

Fr oh sinn. — A German singing society 
organized in 1858. William Lichtenfels is 
president. 

Gas Light Company.— This company 
was formed on the 22nd of June, 1849. The 
works were for twenty years located on 
Lincoln street, at Lincoln square, where the 
buildings still remain. The works are at 
present on Quinsigamond avenue, near the 
South Worcester railroad station, and the 
city office is at 39 Pearl street. The rate is 
$1.50 per 1000 feet. 

Gazette, (The Worcester Evening), 

— Published at 390 and 392 Main street by 
Charles H. Doe & Co. This paper was 
established April 1, 1851, as the Daily 
Morning Transcript. The several editors 
of the Transcript were Julius L. Clarke, 
Chas. E. Stevens. Edwin Bynner, J. B. D. 
Cogswell, Z. K. Pangborn, Wm. R. Hooper 
and Caleb A. Wall. The latter sold the 
paper to S. B. Bartholomew & Co., and the 
name was changed to Worcester Evening 
Gazette, Jan. 1, 1866. In 1869 the paper 
passed into the hands of Doe & Woodwell. 
and on the death of Mr. Woodwell, Mr. Doe 
succeeded. The weekly edition of this paper, 
the JEgis and Gazette, has been published 
continuously under the name JEgis since 
1838, when the Nations! JEgis, first pub- 
lished in 1801, was reestablished after four 
years 1 suspension. The Gazette is Repub- 
lican in politics. 

Geographical Position — The latitude 
of Worcester is 42° 16' 17" north, and its 
longitude 71° 48» 13" west. 

Geology.— The local geological structure 
consists of the St. John's group, Merrimack 
schist, and fenruginous gneiss, in which 



occur steatite, beds of clay and peat, and 
iron ore. 

Germans. — According to the best esti- 
mates there are about 1200 Germans in 
Worcester at the present time. They are 
generally a well-conditioned people, and 
form a valuable portion of the community. 
In religion their liberal views have made it 
difficult to maintain any distinctive relig- 
ious organization, and several attempts in 
this direction have failed. The latest is the 
German Lutheran Church recently formed, 
which worships at the Mission Chapel on 
Summer street. Of the German associa- 
tions the Singing Society " Frohsinn " was 
formed in 1858. The Socialer Turn Verein, 
or School of Gymnastics was founded in 
1859. Einigkeit Lodge, No. 44, Deutscher 
Orden der Harugari, a mutual benefit as- 
sociation similar to the Odd Fellows, was 
organized in 1853. 

Golden Cross, (United Order of the). 

— Worcester Commandery, No. 88, was 
organized in 1880, and meets in Knights of 
Honor Hall, Y. M. C. A. building. 

Gounod Club. — A musical society 
formed in 1886. Henry F. Harris is presi- 
dent, and E. N. Anderson musical director. 

Government Building.— The new Gov- 
ernment or Post Office Building is to be 
erected on the vacant lot between Main and 
Southbridge streets, bounded by Myrtle 
street on the south. For this land the 
Government paid $75,000, and it is asserted 
that a like amount in addition was paid the 
owners of the property by parties who are 
interested in pulling the City southward. 
A curious anecdote showing the value of 
land at this place sixty years ago will be 
found in the article on Franklin Square. 

Grace Methodist Episcopal Free 
Church . — Walnut street. This church was 
formed in 1867, and for four years worship- 
ped in Washburn Hall, under the name of 
the Main street M. E. Church. In 1870 a lot 
on Walnut street was purchased of W. W. 
Sprague for $10,000, and the present struc- 
ture erected at an expense of about $60,000. 
The corner stone was laid Oct. 1, 1870, and 
the new church was dedicated Jan. 24, 1872. 
On removal the name Grace M. E. Church 
was assumed, as the old name was then 
obviously inappropriate. 

Grade Crossings.— Worcester is afflicted 
with this curse probably in a greater 
degree than any other place of its size in 
the country, if not in the world. There 
are thirty-five places where the railroads 
and highways cross at grade, twelve of 
which are in the busy parts of the city. 



GRA— HER 



32 



The estimated cost of obviating all these 
dangerous nuisances in Worcester is over 
one million dollars ! 

Grafton.— A town situated eight miles 
south-east of Worcester, reached by the 
Boston & Albany railroad, (station at North 
Grafton and branch railroad to centre.) 
This place was in ancient times one of John 
Eliot's " Indian Praying Towns, 11 known as 
Hassanamiscs. It was settled in 1728 by 
the whites, and incorporated in 1735, under 
the name of Grafton. The boot and shoe 
business, and the manufacture of cotton 
cloth, are carried on here to some ^extent. 
Population in 1885, 4,498. 

Grafton Square.— -See Elm Square. 

Grand Army of the Republic— George 

H. Ward Post, No. 10, was organized April 
13, 1867, with the following charter mem- 
bers: A. A. Goodell, J. A. Titus, Harlan 
Fairbanks, J. Stewart Brown, R. H. Cham- 
berlain, H. Elliott Blake, D. M. Woodward, 
J. M. Drennan, Augustus Stone, Geo. M. 
Woodward and Chas. E. Simmons. Since 
the formation some 2000 members have 
joined the Post, 700 of whom are still 
active. $35,000 have been dispensed in 
benefits and reliefs. The Women's Relief 
Corps, organized in 1883, as an auxiliary, 
has 165 members. Camp A. A. Goodell, 
No. 2, Mass. Division, Sons of Veterans, 
was formed in 1883. The present com- 
mander of Post 10 is Amos M. Parker. 
Meetings are held every Thursday evening 
at Grand Army Hall, 344 Main street. 

Grangers. — See Patrons of Husbandry. 

Grant Square.— Bounded by Harring- 
ton avenue, Mt. Vernon Place, and Wind- 
sor and Mt. Vernon streets. Laid out in 
1854 or ^5, and was known as Mt. Vernon 
square till 1870, when the name was 
changed to "Grant' 1 in honor of the Gen- 
eral and President. 

Greendale.— A village in the north part 
of Worcester on West Boylston street. 

Green Hill.— The ancestral home of the 
Green family in Worcester, lying north of 
Millstone Hill. It is approached by Green 
lane from Lincoln street. 

Grocers' Association.— The Worcester 
County Retail Grocers 1 Association was 
formed in 1881 for mutual benefit, informa- 
tion and protection. Samuel A. Pratt of 
Worcester is president. 

Garde Lafayette. — See French-Cana- 
dians. 



Garde Nationale.— See French-Cana- 
dians. 

Guinea.— The name formerly applied to 
the region around Washington square, par- 
ticularly perhaps, to the lower end of 
Mechanic street, where many colored peo- 
ple lived. 

Hack Fares.— Within one mile 50 cents 
for one passenger and 25 cents for each 
additional passenger. Between ten o'clock 
p.m. and six a.m. 50 cents each. Within 
one and one-half miles 75 cents for one; if 
more than one, 50 cents each. For greater 
distances special rates. Children between 
3 and 12 years, half-price. 

Halls, (Public) .—The principal public 
halls are named below : 

Mechanics Hall. Seating capacity 1926. 
See under the title in the Dictionary. 

Washburn Hall, (in Mechanics Hall build- 
ing). Seating capacity 552. 

Horticultural Hall, Front street. Seat- 
ing capacity 650. 

Grand Army Hall, Main street, formerly 
Brinley Hall. Seating capacity 300. 

Continental Hall, corner Main and Fos- 
ter streets. Formerly the first Universal- 
ist church. Seating capacity 750. 

Insurance Hall, 240 Main street. 

Association Hall, in the Y. M. C. A. build- 
ing, Elm street. Seating capacity 827. 

Music Hall or Worcester Theatre, Seat- 
ing capacity 1338. See under Music Hall. 

[The last-named was destroyed by fire 
May 16, 1889, but is being rebuilt]. 

Hamilton Square.— On Prescott street, 
between Lexington and Otis streets. 

Hatters' and Furnishers' Associa- 
tion.— Was formed in 1886. N. S. Liscomb 
is the president. 

Health, (Board of).— See Board of 
Health. 

Heart of the Commonwealth. — A 

name applied to Worcester on account of 
its central location in the state. The origin 
of the term is uncertain, but it was used as 
early as 1820, then generally in reference to 
the County rather than the Town. The 
City Seal has the device of a heart, which 
tells its story without any Latin. 

Hebrews.— See Jews. 

Hermit.— Worcester once enjoyed the 
distinction of possessing, among other un- 
rivalled attractions, a real hermit, who 
lived among the rocks near the summit of 
Rattlesnake hill, where Solomon Parsons 
many years ago built a temple, and deeded 



33 



HER— HIG 



the spot to the Almighty, recording the 
conveyance by cutting the letters in the sur- 
face of aflat rock. The hermit lived in a 
small stone house, where he was visited by 
many persons from the City, and some- 
times by those who were not to his liking, 
and who abused his hospitality. Some ten 
years since he gave up his solitary habits, 
returned to the multitude, and for a long 
time was a familiar figure in our streets. 

Hermitage. — A romantic spot in the 
valley west of Millstone Hill and north of 
the extension of Forest avenue. The name 
was probably given by William Lincoln to a 
wooded dell, the quiet and seclusion of the 
place suggesting the designation. 

Herbert Hall. — -See Insane Asylums. 

Herdics and Coupes.— Several years 
ago a line of herdics was started in Worces- 
ter, and regular routes travelled through 
the principal streets, with a five cent fare. 
The effect was to reduce the horse-car fare 
from six to five cents. Most of the herdics 
were withdrawn after a few months, but 
a few of the smaller pattern remain, which 
will carry passengers within the mile circle 
for 25 cents each. One horse coupes can 
also be hired at the same rate. 

High School. —The Classical and 
English High School was established by 
vote of the town in 1844, and the school 
was opened in September, 1845, in a brick 
building which had been erected for the 
purpose at the corner of Walnut and 
Maple streets. This building, which was 
considered when new the finest high school 
house in the State, was moved to the op- 
posite side of Walnut street, in 1870, to 
make room for the later structure, where 
it still stands. In 1846 Hon. Stephen Salis- 
bury gave $750 to purchase a philosophical 
apparatus; and in 1859 Hon. Alexander H. 
Bullock established the Bullock Medal 
Fund by a gift of $1000, the interest of 
which is now used in making additions to 
the school library. In 1870 the erection of 
the present High School building was 
begun, and it was dedicated December 30, 
1871. The building alone cost $169,691.82. 
The plans were drawn by H. H. Richard- 
son, of celebrity as an architect; and 
Norcross Brothers were the builders. There 
are 19 rooms, besides the large hall and 
the basement, and the intention was to 
accommodate 500 pupils; of late the school 
has been greatly over-crowded. Gifts 
to the new building were: A piano from 
Hon. Stephen Salisbury; the bell and 
fountain, from William Dickinson, Esq.; 
and the clock in the tower, and the electric 
system of clocks in the interior, from Hon. 
Edward Earle. 



There are three courses of study, the 
Classical and English of four years each, 
and a College Preparatory of five years. 

The Academe is the literary organ of the 
High School. It was established in 1886. 
The High School Thesaurus was published 
from Nov., 1859, to May, 1866, but only 32 
numbers were issued in that time. The first 
beneficiary of the Bancroft Scholarship 
Fund, founded by a gift of $10,000 from 
George Bancroft, the historian, was a High 
School pupil, George B. Churchill, who re- 
ceived the income for three years. During 
the present year (1889) the estates at the cor- 
ner of Irving and Chatham streets have 
been purchased as a site for a new High 
School building, and operations towards its 
erection will begin in the spring of 1890. 

High School, Societies. There are 
three boys' societies: The Eucleia, formed 
in 1859; the Sumner Club, 1884; and the 
Assembly, 1885. The girls 1 society, the 
Aletheia, was organized in 1881. The High 
School Cadets is a military company of 
boys belonging to the school. 

The Worcester High School Association, 
composed of past graduates, was organized 
in 1886. Hon. Edward L. Davis is president. 

Following is a list of Principals of the 
High School, from 1844 to the present time, 
and their terms of service, with the colleges 
from which they were graduated: 

Elbridge Smith, (B. U.) Aug., 1845. to Sept., 1847. 
Nelson Wheeler, (Y. C.) Sept., 1847, to Sept., 1852. 
George Capron, (B. U.) Sept., 1852, to Dec, 1854. 
Lucius D. Chapin, (A. C.) Jan., 1855, to Feb., 1855. 
Osgood Johnson, (D. C.) Feb., 1855, to July, 1856. 
Homer B. Sprague, (Y.C.) Sept., 1856, to Dec, 1859. 
Harris R. Greene, (B. IT.) Jan., 1860, to July, 1866. 
James F. Claflin, (A. C.j Aug., 1866, to Feb., 1867. 
Ellis Peterson, (H. C.) March, 1867, to June, 1869. 
Abner H. Davis, (B. C.) Aug., 1869. to Dec, 1872. 
Ellis Peterson, (H. C.) Dec, 1872, to July, 1875. 
Jos.W. Fairbanks, (A.C.) Aug., 1875, to July,1878. 
Samuel Thurber, (B.U.) Aug., 1878, to Nov., 1880. 
Alfred S. Koe, ( Wes. U.) Nov., 1880 to the present. 

Mr. Roe has served longer by three years 
than any other principal of the school. 
The number of pupils has increased from 
350 when he came to the school, to 875 at 
the present time. Through his efforts 
mainly, the number of books in the school 
library has been greatly increased, and 
the interior of the building adorned with 
portraits, busts and works of art, including 
two memorial tablets to the memory of 
pupils of the school who lost their fives 
in the Rebellion. 

Highland Military School. — A pri- 
vate academy on Salisbury street, founded 
in 1856 by Caleb B. Metcalf , who was pre- 
viously for years a teacher in the public 
schools of Worcester. The studies here are 
similar to those in high and scientific 
schools, including the preparatory studies, 
with surveying, civil engineering, and 
natural science. Military drill was institu- 



HIL— HOP 



34 



ted in 1858, and is still a prominent feature 
in the school, its purpose being to promote 
health, improve the figure and personal 
carriage, and aid discipline. There are two 
courses — English and Classical — of four 
years each. The Highland School is a 
boarding school, and a large proportion of 
its pupils come from a distance, attracted 
by the high reputation which the institu- 
tion has maintained from the beginning. 
The uniform of the cadets is of a gray color 
and attractive appearance, and its wearers 
are often seen upon our streets. Mr. Met- 
calf retired from the management of the 
school two or three years ago. The Acad- 
emy is under the charge of Joseph A. 
Shaw as principal. 

Hillside.— The home of John B. Gough, 
in the town of Boylston, near Worcester. 
Here are preserved the valuable library, 
with the matchless collection of Cruik- 
shank's drawings and illustrations, and 
many other memorials of Mr. Gough's life 
and work. John Bartholomew Gough was 
born in Sandgate, Kent, England, 22d 
August, 1817, and died at Frankford, Pa., 
18th February, 1886. His labors in the tem- 
perance cause have made his name a 
household word. He was a true reformer, 
for he reformed himself, and his example 
has been an inspiration to thousands. 

Historical Societies.— See American 
Antiquarian Society ; The Worcester 
Society of Antiquity. 

History, (Early).— The first grant of 
land located in the vicinity of Worcester, 
was made by the General Court of Massa- 
chusetts to Increase Nowell of Charlestown, 
May 6, 1657, and comprised a tract of 3200 
acres. In 1662. 1000 acres were granted to 
the church in Maiden; and in 1664, 250 acres 
were granted to Thomas Noyes of Sudbury. 
The rights of Nowell and Noyes were trans- 
ferred to other parties. About 1673 Eph- 
xaim Curtis built a house here ; he is 
generally considered the first settler, 
though some statements indicate that 
others were here before him. In the 
spring of 1675 lots were apportioned and a 
settlement effected, but the settlers were 
driven away by the Indians, and in Decem- 
ber the buildings were burned by the 
savages. Another settlement was made in 
1684, and in October of that year the plan- 
tation, which had been known as Quinsiga- 
mond, received the name of Worcester. 
The second settlement met the fate of the 
first, and about the year 1700 the place was 
again abandoned to solitude. In 1713 the 
third and permanent settlement was effect- 
ed by Jonas Rice, and in 1717 some two 
hundred were living here. A church was 



formed in 1719, and the town was incorpor- 
ated in 1722. 

Holden.— A town originally set off from 
Worcester in 1740. It is 7 miles distant on 
the Fitchburg Railroad. Population in 
1885, 2,470. 

Home for Aged Females.— In his will 
Ichabod Washburn gave his home estate 
on Summer street, (subject to his wife's 
life interest) and fifty thousand dollars to 
establish and maintain a " Home for aged 
females, widows, and those who have 
never been married, who from loss of 
friends or other misfortunes are reduced 
from a state of comfortable and respecta- 
ble competency, to that of dependence 
upon charity." The " Home " was to be 
under the direction of a board of twenty- 
four trustees, of whom one-half were to be 
women. The institution was incorporated 
in 1869. Mr. Washburn's widow purchased 
for $11,000 the reversionary interest of the 
trustees in the homestead, and with this 
money they bought the Cleveland or, Isaac 
Goddard Mansion on Orange street, where 
the Home was opened July 1, 1873, with 
seven inmates. Up to the present time 49 
have received the benefits of a comfortable 
home and support. Only those of good 
moral character, and such habits of life 
and deportment in manners as shall not 
render them unpleasant or troublesome in 
their intercourse with the superintendent, 
and attendance on each other, are admitted. 
Applicants are at present required to pay 
$100 before admission. The Home is in 
charge of an efficient matron. The fine 
mansion and grounds on Leicester street 
have recently been acquired, and the 
institution is to be removed to that place. 

Home Circle, (Order of the).— Arbutus 
Council, No. Ill, was organized in 1888, and 
meets at Knights of Honor Hall, Y. M. C. A. 
building. 

Homoepathic Medical Society, (The 
Worcester County).— Formed in 1866. 
Holds quarterly meetings at the library 
room and dispensary in Crompton's build- 
ing on Mechanic street. Dr. E. L. Melius of 
Worcester is president. 



Homoepathic Dispensaries. 

pensaries. 



-See Dis- 



Hope Cemetery*— -See Cemeteries. 

Hopeville.— The locality between Cam- 
bridge street and Sutton lane, comprising 
Fremont street and Sutton road. It is 
within a short distance from Webster 
square at New Worcester. 



35 



HOR— HOT 



Horse Cars. — See Street Railway. 

Horticultural Society, (Worcester 

County),— Formed in 1840 "for the purpose 
of advancing the science and encouraging 
and improving the practice of Horticul- 
ture." The first board of officers was con- 
stituted as follows: President, Dr. John 
Green; Vice-Presidents, Dr. Samuel Wood- 
ward, Stephen Salisbury; Secretaries, Ben- 
J'amin F. Heywood, L. L. Newton, J. C. B. 
)avis, William Lincoln, Dr. Joseph Sar- 
gent; Trustees, Dr. John Park, Isaac Davis, 
E. F. Dixie, S. D. Spurr, Thomas Chamber- 
lain, Nathaniel Stowell, A. D. Foster, Lewis 
Chapin, J. G. Kendall, Emory Washburn. 
The first exhibition was held Oct. 13 to 15, 
1840, in the old brick building which stood 
on the site of the block erected by Sumner 
Pratt on Front street. The society was 
incorporated in 1842. In 1851 sufficient 
funds had been accumulated to warrant 
the erection of the fine "Horticultural Hall" 
on Front street, near Main, the upper 
stories of which are now occupied for the 

Eurposes of the association. Annual exhi- 
itions of fruit, flowers and vegetables 
were held for many years, but for the last 
decade they have been held weekly during 
most of the year, and liberal premiums are 
offered. The society owns a fine library of 
some 2000 volumes on subjects pertaining 
to its specialty. Its hall is adorned with 
portraits of prominent deceased members. 
The present officers are: President, Henry 
L. Parker; Vice-Presidents, Stephen Salis- 
bury, Geo. E. Francis, Hermann F. A. 
Lange ; Secretary, Edward Winslow Lincoln ; 
Librarian and Treasurer, Charles E. Brooks. 

Hospital, (The City),— This institution 
was incorporated May 25, 1871, and was 
opened at the Abijah Bigelow house on the 
corner of Front and Church streets, Oct. 
25, 1871. George Jaques soon after gave 
three and a half acres of land on Prince 
street (now Jaques avenue) as a site for a 
hospital, and at his death left the re- 
mainder of his estate, in value nearly 
$200,000, as a fund for its support. The 
Jaques homestead, at the corner of 
Wellington and Chandler streets, was 
occupied as a hospital from January, 1874, 
to December 8, 1881, when the present 
building on Jaques avenue was ready 
for use. At first there were only the main 
building and two wards, but in 1882 another 
ward was added, and later the Gill and 
Salisbury wards were built from funds 
given by Mrs. Sarah W. Gill and Stephen 
Salisbury, Esq. Mrs. Helen C. Knowles 
gave at her death $25,000 for the erection 
and maintenance of a lying-in ward, and 
this has been completed, and is known as 
the " Knowles Maternity. 11 There are now 
sixty beds at the Hospital, and nearly 1,000 



patients are treated yearly. A training 
school for nurses has been established 
at the hospital. The institution is under 
the direction of a board of seven trustees. 
Dr. Charles A. Peabody is the superintend- 
ent. The sum of $13,000 was appropriat- 
ed by the City Government for the support 
of the hospital for the present year (1889). 

Hospitals. — See the previous article ; 
Memorial Hospital ; Insane Asylums ; 
Small-pox Hospital. 

Hotels.— All the hotels of Worcester are 
on the American plan. The Bay State 
House, corner of Main and Exchange 
streets, stands at the head. The charges 
here are from $2.50 to $3.50 per day, with 
first-class service ; single meals 75 cents. It 
has 132 rooms. Distance from the Union 
Railroad Station about % of a mile on 
the Street Railway Line. The Waldo 
House, on Waldo street, with 100 rooms, is 
the next in size. The charges here are $2 
and $2.50 per day. The Lincoln House, on 
Elm street, just off Main, has 80 rooms, and 
the rate is $2.50 per day. The location is 
very pleasant, and it is a favorite house with 
many. Those who desire a place near the 
railroad station, will readily find the United 
States Hotel, on Summer street. There are 
40 rooms here, with a rate of $2 per day. 
On Front street, at the corner of Trumbull, 
within easy distance of the station, is the 
New Waverly, just renovated. Rate $2; 
with 70 rooms. The Exchange Hotel, oppo- 
site Court hill on Main street, is much pat- 
ronized by jurymen and those who have 
business in the courts. It has 59 rooms, 
and the rates are $2 and $2.50. The Hotel 
Parker, on Walnut street, with 50 rooms, 
charges $2 per day. The new City Hotel, 
just put in operation, is located at the cor- 
ner of Southbridge and Myrtle streets, near 
Franklin square. It has 47 rooms, and the 
rates are $2 per day. The Colonnade, Hotel 
Chandler and the Joslyn, on Front street, 
are small hotels. The former charges $2 
per day. The latter is a family hotel. 
The German • American House, at 35 
Mechanic street, is the only German hotel 
in the city. The Hotel Hovey, on Summer 
street, and the Elmwood House at New 
Worcester, belong in the list of hotels. 
The Hotel Pleasant, Pleasant street, Hotel 
Adams, High street, Hotel Prentice, Crown 
street, and the Hotel Sheldon, corner of 
Main and Chandler, are family hotels. 
Good boarding-houses are to be found in 
different parts of the city. 

Hotels, (Old). — The oldest continuous 
tavern site in Worcester is where the Bay 
State House now stands. It was estab- 
lished by Daniel Heywood in 1722. It was 
kept by Moses Chapin in the early part of 



HOT— INS 



36 



the present century, and in 1809 by Wil- 
liam Chamberlain. Samuel Hathaway and 
Alvan Robinson came later, the latter being 
succeeded by Cyrus Stockwell, and the 
establishment for some years went under 
the name of Stock well's Tavern. In 1827 
it was called the "Sun Tavern," kept by 
Lewis Lilley, and the next year the " Ris- 
ing Sun Inn," kept by S. Banister, who 
removed to the Blackstone Hotel in 1830, 
and Stockwell, who had probably leased the 
property to Lilley and Banister, returned 
for a short time. Under the name of Cen- 
tral Hotel it was kept by Jones Estabrook 
in 1832, and 1835 by Z. Bonney. The Sterne 
or " King's Arms " Tavern, on the site of 
the Lincoln House, was kept by Thomas 
Sterne and his widow, from 1732 till after 
the Revolution. In 1786 John Stowers, who 
had previously kept a tavern elsewhere in 
the town, took this house, which was then 
called the Sun Tavern. On the site Hon. 
Levi Lincoln erected his fine dwelling house 
about 1812, which in 1835, when he built the 
present Gov. Lincoln mansion on Elm 
street, became the Worcester House, and 
was kept by David T. Brigham, Lysander 
C. Clark, and others until the large block 
was built in front, after which it was known 
as the Lincoln House, q. v. The old " Han- 
cock Arms," on Lincoln street, also called 
Brown's Inn, was kept after the Revolution 
by Abner Child, Benj. Butman, Amos 
Smith, Simeon Duncan and others until it 
was closed sometime before it was burned, 
Dec. 24, 1824. The fire was incendiary, and 
Stephen Salisbury, the owner of the build- 
ing at that time, offered a reward. Nathan 
Patch established the present Exchange 
Hotel in 1785. It was kept by William Bar- 
ker from 1790, to about 1800 or after. In 
1807 Reuben Sikes purchased it, and it was 
known for years as Sikes' Coffee House. 
Samuel B. Thomas succeeded in 1823, and 
called the house the Temperance Exchange, 
and later it became the Exchange. He was 
succeeded by his son-in-law, P. W. Wait, 
in 1840, who kept it till 1854. It has since 
been in various hands. The John Chandler 
Mansion, present site of the Walker build- 
ing, corner Main and Mechanic streets, was 
kept before and after 1800 by Ephraim 
Mower as a public house. In 1818 William 
Hovey erected a brick building on the spot, 
called the "Brick Hotel," and kept by Oliver 
Eager. Howe & White succeeded the 
latter in 1821, and they were succeeded by 
William Hovey in 1823, who then called it 
the " Worcester Hotel," and later it was 
known as the United States. James 
Worthington kept it for several years. 
This building rented from 1818 to 1822 for 
$550 per annum . It was moved back in 1854, 
when Clark's block was built. In 1827 
Capt. Joseph Lovell opened his " Black- 
stone Canal Inn "at the corner of Main 



and Thomas streets. Samuel Banister took 
it in 1830, and Nov. 27, 1833, Eleazer Por- 
ter purchased it for a Temperance Hotel, 
and it was called the " Worcester Temper- 
ance House" for several years. Warner 
Hinds succeeded Porter in 1835. It was 
kept as a hotel until 1866. S. Hathaway 
kept a tavern at Washington square from 
1825 to 1831, and was succeeded by William 
R. Wesson. Elliott Swan was landlord 
here for twenty years from 1851. The old 
"Swan's Hotel" was removed to make room 
for the Union Passenger Station. In 1835 
Hon. A. D. Poster converted his dwelling 
house, corner of Main and Foster streets, 
into a hotel, which until 1857 was known as 
the "American Temperance House " or the 
American House. On the other corner of 
Foster street, was kept for a time, the 
Railroad Hotel, also opened about 1835. 
In 1833 a Boston company formed a project 
for the erection of a hotel on the plan of 
the Tremont House in Boston, opposite the 
Town Hall, but for some reason it was 
given up. Other old taverns at different 
times were the Jones Tavern, south of 
Park street on Main, in the Revolutionary 
era; the Jones Tavern at New Worcester, 
kept by three generations; the Baird Tav- 
ern on the Grafton road, and the Cow 
Tavern in the north part of the town. The 
length of this notice forbids the mention of 
several others not as well-known as the 
above. 

House of Correction. — See Jails. 

Hygiene Association.— See Emergency 
and Hygiene. 

Indian Association, (Worcester). — 

Was formed in 1885, its purpose being to 
improve the condition of the red men. The 
officers are, President, J. Evarts Greene; 
Vice-Presidents, E. B. Glasgow, Stephen 
Salisbury, Mrs.. E. W. Vaill, Mrs. P. L. 
Moen, D. O. Mears; Corresponding Secre- 
tary, Miss M. N. Perley; Secretary and 
Treasurer, E. B. Glasgow. The associa- 
tion holds monthly meetings. 

Industrial School.— See Polytechnic 
Institute. 

Insane Asylums.— The Worcester Lu- 
natic Hospital was established by the state, 
and opened for patients in 1833. The 
building on Summer street (since enlarged) 
was occupied until the completion of the 
new hospital at the lake in 1877. Some 
15,000 patients have been treated, and 
about 800 are at present accommodated. 
The new buildings situated on an eminence 
west of Lake Quinsigamond, and about 
two miles from the city, command a fine 
view of the surrounding country. Dr. 



37 



INS— IRI 



John G. Park is superintendent. Bloom- 
ingdale Station on the Worcester and 
Shrewsbury Railroad is within an easy 
walk of the Hospital. 

The Worcester Insane Asylum is located 
on Summer street, in the building formerly 
occupied by the Lunatic Hospital, and was 
re-opened in October, 1877. Only chronic 
cases are treated here. Dr. H. M. Quinby 
is the superintendent. 

Both of the above institutions are under 
the direction of a board of seven trustees 
appointed by the Governor. 

Dr. Merrick Bemis, for many years 
superintendent of the Worcester Lunatic 
Hospital, is the proprietor of a private 
insane asylum known as Herbert Hall on 
Salisbury street. 

Institute Park.— A public ground situ- 
ated between Salisbury street and Salisbury 
pond, presented to the City, Oct. 1, 1887, by 
Stephen Salisbury, Esq. The tract com- 
prises about 18 acres, with a small reserva- 
tion in front of the Polytechnic Institute, 
upon which the Institute may erect a 
building at some future time if required. 
Mr. Salisbury has just erected a pavilion, 
and is otherwise improving the ground at 
his own expense. 

Insurance Companies. — The Worces- 
ter Mutual Fire Insurance Co. was incor- 
porated February 11, 1823. John A. Fayer- 
weather of Westborough is president, and 
Roger F. Upham secretary and treasurer. 
The office is at 377 Main street. The Mer- 
chants'' and Farmers' Fire Insurance Co., 
incorporated 1846. John D. Washburn is 
president and E. B. Stoddard, secretary. 
Office 242 Main street. The First National 
Fire Insurance Co. was incorporated in 1869. 
The president is Charles B. Pratt, and the 
secretary, R. James Tatman. Office 410 
Main street. The Worcester Manufac- 
turers' 1 Mutual Insurance Co. was reorgan- 
ized in 1861. George M. Rice is president 
and treasurer, and S. R. Barton secretary. 
Office 448 Main street. The Peoples'' Mu- 
tual, Bay State and Central Mutual com- 
panies failed in 1872 in consequence of the 
Boston fire. The State Mutual Life Assur- 
ance Co., incorporated in 1844, occupies a 
fine building at 240 Main street. A. George 
Bullock is president and Henry M. Witter 
secretary. 

Insurance or Fire Patrol.— See Pro- 
tective Department. 

Inventions and Inventors. — It was 

once said that more patents had been 
granted to Worcester County inventors 
than to those of any other county in the 
United States. Without asserting or deny- 
ing the truth of this statement it can be 



said that some of the most important inven- 
tions and improvements in use originated 
in Worcester County. The most valuable 
one in all its results is undoubtedly the 
eccentric lathe of Thomas Blanchard. This, 
with the typewriter of Charles Thurber, 
and the calliope of J. C. Stoddard, shows 
the verge of usefulness and novelty, and 
from them the scale runs down through an 
almost inconceivable number and variety 
of useful and curious innovations to a 
world of small notions. The limits of the 
Dictionary will not admit of anything like 
adequate mention, or even bare' enumera- 
tion of the different and invaluable inven- 
tions introduced by Worcester County men. 
The Stowells, who made carpets in Wor- 
cester in the first years of the century, 
were famous for their ingenuity, and 
received several patents. William Hovey 
was noted as an early Worcester inventor, 
and with the Stowells, heads a list number- 
ing a legion. Brief mention of a few inven- 
tions will be found in the article on Manu- 
factures. 

Irish.— The last census gives 10,695 as 
the number of natives of Ireland in Wor- 
cester, but this does not represent more 
than half the population of Irish blood. 
Indeed it was claimed recently, by a prom- 
inent representative of the race, that there 
were 30,000 Irish in the city. Probably 
25,000 is nearer the true figure. In gen- 
eral the Irish people have prospered to 
a greater degree in Worcester than in most 
other places. Although there are only a 
few among them who might be considered 
wealthy, there are many successful and 
enterprising business men, traders, and 
contractors who have gained a competency; 
and the proportion of Irish who own their 
homes is quite large. 

Irish Societies. — The principal Irish 
societies in Worcester are included in the 
following list: 

Ancient Order of Hibernians. A secret 
mutual benefit and fraternal order. Divis- 
ion 1 was organized in 1867, Division 2 ia 
1871, Division 4 in 1876. The Hibernian 
Guards, and the Hibernian Rifles are mili- 
tary companies attached to this order. 
The rooms are at 476 Main street. The 
Carrollton Associates, Eagle Associates, 
Highland Associates, Franklin and Mt. 
Vernon Social Clubs, are social organ- 
izations of young Irishmen, similar in 
character to the Washington Social Club. 
The latter was formed in "1882 and incorpor- 
ated in 1884. The rooms at 98 Front street, 
are fitted up with much elegance. The 
Club also has a fine house at Lake Quinsig- 
amond on the Shrewsbury side. Of Tem- 
perence Societies the Father Mathew Mu- 
tual Benefit Total Abstinence Society 



IRO— JEW 



38 



stands at the head. The first Catholic 
Temperance Society was organized in 
Worcester in 1840. It lived about a year. 
Rev. James Fitton was president. On the 
4th of November, 1849, the Father Mathew 
Society was organized shortly after Father 
Mathew's visit here. It is a mutual bene- 
fit society as its name states, bound by the 
principle of total abstinence. Members 
when sick receive $5 per week for 13 
weeks, and S3 per week for the succeeding 
13. $51 is appropriated for the expense of 
a member's funeral, and $20 for that of his 
wife. The society was incorporated in 
1863. In 1873 the house and lot on Temple 
street were purchased for $4,200, and a hall 
of brick erected at a cost of $2,300 addi- 
tional. This property was sold a year or 
two ago to Rev. Fr. Griffin for $9,500, and 
the new Father Mathew Hall on Green 
street, corner of Harrison, erected at a cost 
of $30,000. The lot of 6,310 feet of land was 
purchased of Mary Carroll for $6,000. The 
Society is now in debt about $18,000. The 
amount of benefits paid since 1849 is $33, 
000, and 52 members have died. The pres- 
ent membership is 275, and the Father 
Mathew Cadets number 200. This Society 
has paraded on several notable occasions 
and celebrations. Richard O'Flynn is pres- 
ident, and he has given the above facts to 
the Dictionary. The St. John's Catholic 
Temperance and Literary Guild, and the 
St. Stephen's Lyceum are connected with 
the churches of the same names. The 
Catholic Order of Foresters, Court 59, was 
organized a few years since. The Catholic 
Young Men's Lyceum was organized in 
1885. The Irish Catholic Benevolent So- 
ciety, formed in 1863, meets at 98 Front 
street. The St. John's Cadets is a military 
and temperance organization of boys. The 
Qrattan Literary Society and the Moore 
Club have been prominent in the past. 

Iron Hall. — Branch No. 396 was organ- 
ized in 1886. Iron Hall Sisterhood, Branch 
No. 601, was organized in 1887. Both these 
meet at Knights of Honor Hall, Y. M. C. A. 
building, Pearl street. 

Island, (The).— The region west of Mill- 
bury street, which by the divergence of the 
old canal stream from Mill Brook is, or was 
at one time, surrounded by water. Police 
Station No. 2 is located in this district, on 
Lamartine street. 

Italians.— In 1885 there were 150 Italians 
in Worcester. 

Jail and Honse of Correction. — In 

1732 a portion of the house of William Jen- 
nison on Court hill, was used as a jail, a 
"cage" for temporary use being built there. 
In 1733 this cage was removed to the house 



of Daniel Hey wood, where the Bay State 
House now stands. The first jail proper,, 
erected in 1733, stood on Lincoln street, a 
short distance from Lincoln square. In 
1753 a new jail was built a few rods south 
of the former prison, which was used till 
1788, when the stone jail in Lincoln square 
was completed. This latter was " judged 
to be at least the second stone building of 
consequence in the Commonwealth; none 
being thought superior except the stone 
(King's) chapel in Boston. 1 ' It was claimed 
that it would not need any repairs except 
the roof, for two or three centuries; but in 
1835 the building was demolished, and the 
jail removed to its present quarters on 
Summer street, where the House of Correc- 
tion had been established in 1819. The 
present jail building was remodeled in 1873- 
at an expense of $192,000, and was occupied 
in March, 1874. It contains cells for 194 
prisoners, though many more have been 
confined here at one time. There are three 
large and comfortable apartments in the 
hospital ward, and the sick are attended 
by the city physician. There is a library of 
500 volumes, accessible every Sunday to the 
prisoners. Protestant and Catholic preach- 
ers alternate in Sunday worship. The- 
number of commitments during the year 
1888 was 2,328. Of these 119 were women, 
and 129 minors. The total cost of main- 
taining the institution for 1888, was 
$31,195.07, of which $11,570.67 was for 
salaries. Amount received from labor of 
prisoners $5,698.70 ; from other sources- 
$227.30. Total $5,926.00. Sheriff A. B. R. 
Sprague is jailer, ex-offlcio. Robert H. 
Chamberlain is keeper of the Jail and mas- 
ter of the House of Correction. The Jail 
building is about one-quarter of a mile 
north of the Union railroad station, or mid- 
way between Washington and Lincoln 
squares. 

Jamesville. — The settlement and fac- 
tory village in the southwest part of Wor- 
cester, near the Auburn line. It is reached 
by Stafford street from New Worcester, and 
is also on the line of the Boston & Albany 
railroad. 

Jamesville Square. — At Jamesville, 
junction of James, Ludlow, Bennett and! 
Clover streets. 

Jews. — Various estimates give the num- 
ber of Jews in Worcester from 500 to 
700. They are increasing here, and are 
generally prosperous. They have two 
synagogues — that of the Children of Israel r 
on Green street, was erected in 1888. The 
society was formed in 1877. The Sons of 
Abraham Synagogue, on Plymouth street, 
was erected in 1888, by a society formed two 
years before. Worcester Lodge, No. 47 r 



39 



JOB— KIN 



Independent Order of Sons of Benjamin, a 
secret mutual benefit society, was organized 
in 1882. In 1876 the number of Jews in the 
city did not exceed 25. A society, called 
the "Worcester County Society for melior- 
ating the condition of the Jews in Europe, 11 
was formed here in 1824. S. V. S. Wilder 
of Bolton was president, and Rev. Aaron 
Bancroft an active participant in its organ- 
ization. 

Jo Bill Road. — The street leading from 
Salisbury street to Sunny side. It was a 
travelled path two hundred years ago, on 
the way from Boston to Brookfield. Joseph 
Bill lived on this road about 1750, and the 
name comes from him. 

Junction Station.— See South Wor- 
cester. 

Junction Shop. — The large stone build- 
ing on the Norwich railroad, at Jackson 
street, just north of the Junction or South 
Worcester station, in present occupation by 
the Knowles Loom Works. This shop was 
erected in 1853 by Col. James Estabrook, 
and the Wood & Light Co. took an interest 
in it. The proposition to build such a shop 
was made by Eli Thayer, but Col. Estabrook 
was disinclined to act, as he had much 
unproductive property, on his hands, and 
did not wish to increase his responsibility. 
To encourage him in the undertaking, Mr. 
Thayer procured from Capt. Ephraim 
Mower a gift of twenty house-lots in con- 
sideration of the proposed improvement, 
delivered the stone to build the shop on 
credit, carting it from Oread hill with his 
own teams, and engaged Eugene T. Martin 
of Woonsocket to do the masonry, paying 
him in part with some of. the house-lots. 
After the building was well advanced, Col. 
Estabrook was able to obtain money on a 
mortgage to pay Thayer and Martin, and 
the shop was soon occupied by tenants who 
paid good rents. It proved a fortunate 
investment for the owner, and much 
increased the value of the rest of his 
real estate in that vicinity. 

Kansas Emigrant Movement.— The 

plan which saved Kansas, and ultimately 
the whole country to freedom, had its 
origin in Worcester, in the brain of one of 
her citizens— Eli Thayer. Mr. Thayer first 
made his plan known at a meeting called to 

Srotest against the passage of the Kansas- 
ebraska bill, held in the City Hall, March 
11, 1854. The Emigrant Aid Company was 
soon in full operation, and under its direc- 
tion "four or five thousand of the most 
resolute men and women the world ever 
saw went into Kansas, 11 and largely out- 
numbering the slave-holding element, 
gained permanent possession of the terri- 



tory. The South, convinced by this that 
slavery could not be extended into the new 
territories, resorted to rebellion, and 
suffered an ignominious defeat after four 
years of war. Of Mr. Thayer's work, Rev. 
Edward Everett Hale has recently written: 
"When the reservoir of Northern indig- 
nation was still a reservoir, with its rage 
wasted on its banks, one man saw where 
the spade-blows were to be struck through 
which the waters should rush out. He 
knew how to strike these blows, struck 
them with his own hands, and made the 
channel through which the waters flowed. 11 
Mr. Thayer's account of his work has 
recently been published by the Harpers of 
New York, under the title of The Kansas 
Crusade, its Friends and its Foes. 

Kennel Club.— The Worcester Kennel 
Club was organzied at the Bay State 
House, Monday evening, December 3, 1888, 
with the following officers : President, 
Harry W. Smith; 1st Vice-President, Col. 
Rock wood Hoar; 2d Vice-President, Fred- 
erick Kimball ; Secretary, Edward W. 
Dodge; Treasurer, Fred. W. White; Execu- 
tive Committee, A. B. F. Kinney, Waldo 
Sessions, Capt. E. A. Harris, Capt. Levi 
Lincoln, Chas. A. Parker, Francis M. Har- 
ris, H. F. Littlefield, Geo. W. Patterson. 
The first annual bench show was held at 
the Worcester Skating Rink, April 9 to 12, 
1889. There were 324 dogs shown, among 
which were an unusually large number of 
the most noted prize winners in the U. S. 
The principal objects of this club are, to 
encourage the breeding and importation of 
thoroughbred dogs; to hold meetings at 
fixed times for the reading of essays and 
holding theoretic and scientific discussions 
on the breeding of dogs; and to hold annual 
bench shows. 

Kettle Brook.— This stream rises in 
Paxton, and flows south through Leicester 
to Cherry Valley, thence southeast through 
Valley Falls, supplying the various ponds 
there, then into Auburn where it joins 
Ramshorn Brook. Kettle Brook contrib- 
utes a large volume to the water supply of 
Worcester. 

Kindergartens.— On January 4th, 1886, 
Miss L. Gertrude Bardwell, through the 
efforts of Mrs. David W. Pond and Mrs. 
Rev. Henry M. Stimson, began the first 
permanent Kindergarten in Worcester, at 
25 Harvard street, corner of Dix. The 
house occupied has since been moved back, 
and is now No. 1 Dix street. Miss Bard- 
well was from Shelburne Falls, and was 
educated in Germany, having been taught 
in both Berlin and Dresden. In Sept., 1886, 
she passed the school over to Miss Elizabeth 
Kilham from Beverly. The latter received 



KNI— LAK 



40 



her training in Mrs. Shaw's school in Bos- 
ton. In the spring of 1887 the Kindergarten 
was removed to 35 Chestnut street, and the 
following Sept. was again removed to the 
Y. M. C. A. building, and united with Mrs. 
Morgan's school, where it is to-day still 
under Miss Kilham's charge. 

There is a Kindergarten at the Tempor- 
ary Home and Day Nursery on Southbridge 
street. There have been in the past other 
schools of this nature, and a few still exist, 
but their duration has usually been brief. 

Knights of Honor.— Bay State Lodge, 
No. 184, was instituted in Worcester in 1875, 
and Worcester Lodge, No. 3220, in 1885. 
The first meets at 11 Pleasant street, and 
the latter in the Y. M. C. A. building on 
Pearl street. There two lodges of the 
Knights and Ladies of Honor, viz., Pearl 
Lodge, No. 123, which meets at 405 Main 
street; and Puritan Lodge, No. 1208, meets 
at Y. M. C. A. building. 

Knights of Liabor.— This order has 
declined greatly in influence and numbers 
within the past two years. The only Local 
Assembly at all active in Worcester at pres- 
ent is No. 2353, though one or two others 
perhaps claim an existence. Local Assem- 
bly 785, was the first one formed here, as 
part of the old District Assembly, No. 30, 
which had its headquarters in Boston. 
There have been seven Local Assemblies in 
Worcester since the order was founded, 
this number including one Ladies' Assem- 
bly. The more recent Trades' Unions have 
drawn off many from the Knights' organi- 
zation. The order served its purpose, 
undoubtedly, in modifying the views and 
tendencies of both employer and employ^ ; 
and a better understanding probably now 
exists between them. Strikes are not now 
as frequent as formerly, as their bad econ- 
omy has been effectually demonstrated; 
and arbitration is oftener resorted to. The 
order of Knights of Labor never flourished 
as well in Worcester as in some other 
places, on account of the general good 
feeling between those employed and their 
employers. 

Knights of Pythias.— A secret frater- 
nal and mutual benefit order, similar to the 
Odd Fellows. Blake Lodge No. 49, and 
Damascus Lodge, No. 50, were instituted in 
Worcester in 1871. Later, Regulus Lodge, 
No. 71, was formed. Section 189, Endow- 
ment Rank was organized in 1878. Pythian 
Temple is at 405 Main street. The Loyal 
Ladies of Damon, No. 1, Pythian Sister- 
hood, is an association of ladies similar to 
the above order. 

Knights Templars( Worcester County 
Commandery of).— See Masonic Societies. 



Lake Park.— In 1862 Hon. Isaac Davis 
offered as a free gift to the City, fourteen 
acres of land at Lake Quinsigamond for a 
public park, but this gift was declined. In 
1884 Hon. Edward L. Davis and Mr. Horace 
H. Bigelow deeded to the City about 110 
acres of land bordering on the Lake, a 
tract admirably adapted from its location 
and diversified surface for a public ground. 
Mr. Davis also gave $5,000 to improve the 
park, and has recently erected at his own 
expense, a stone tower, modeled after the 
ancient Irish structures, and built of rough 
stones gathered from the surrounding land. 
This is a striking and prominent object, and 
gives from its top a fine view of the Lake 
and country about. A road called the 
Circuit has been laid out on three sides of 
the park, and Lake avenue passes through 
it near the water front. The station on 
the Shrewsbury railroad nearest the park 
is Lake View. 

Lake Quinsigamond. — A beautiful 
sheet of water lying along the eastern 
boundary of Worcester, and mostly within 
its territory. " It extends from north to 
south, in crescent f orm, about four miles in 
length, presenting by reason of dispropor- 
tionate breadth the appearance of a noble 
river, with bold banks covered with wood 
or swelling into green hills." There are 
several islands varying in extent. Known 
years ago by the name of Long Pond, its 
natural advantages for boating and as a 
pleasure resort, if noticed, were not made 
available until within the last few years. 
College regattas were first held here in 
1859, and the place has been growing grad- 
ually in popular favor to the present time. 
The many attractions during the summer 
season, and the easy means of access by 
the Shrewsbury railroad draws large 
crowds, especially on Sundays. At Lincoln 
Park, the terminus of the railroad, there 
are several steamboat wharves, and close 
by extensive boat houses where craft in all 
varieties can be obtained. From June to 
October band concerts are given here every 
afternoon and evening, and the visitor will 
find much to engage his attention and fur- 
nish amusement and entertainment. The 
lover of nature and beautiful scenery 
should not fail to explore the mysteries of 
the Lake by a steamboat trip from the 
Causeway to the south, or above to Natural 
History Park. The best view of the Lake 
in its entirety is from Wigwam hill, near 
the north end. The station of the Worces- 
ter & Shrewsbury railroad is on Shrewsbury 
street, close to the Union railroad station. 
Trains run every half -hour, and the fare is 
ten cents each way. 

Lake Names. In the summer of 1888 a 
committee was selected for the purpose of 
naming the various prominent points and 



41 



LAK— LEA 



places at Lake Quinsigamond, the names 
to be permanently fixed and incorporated 
in a large and accurate map of the lake 
drawn for Mr. H. H. Bigelow. The com- 
mittee consisted of Nathaniel Paine and 
Edmund M. Barton, of the American Anti- 
quarian Society; Ellery B. Crane, Thomas 
A. Dickinson and Franklin P. Rice of the 
Worcester Society of Antiquity; and H. 
H. Bigelow, T. C. Rice and A. A. Coburn, 
representing the owners of property at 
the lake. After several meetings and a 
tour of inspection the folowing names 
were agreed upon: 
North of the Causeway, Shrewsbury side: 

Jeseph Point and Bay, near the head of 
lake. South of this: 

Temple Point. 

The Sanctuary. (See Title). 

Cold Spring. (See Title). 

The Kitchen. 
South of the Causeway, Shrewsbury side: 

Green Brook. 

Quinsigamond Forest. 

Atalanta. (See Boat Clubs.) 

East Lake. 

Eyrie. (See Title.) 

Jordan Brook. 

Jordan Pond. 

Club Harbor. 

Park View. 

Sagamore Point. 

The Narrows. 

Shrewsbury Bay. 

Matoonas Point. 

Powder Horn. 

Old Faith Bay. 

Round Pond. 

Half Moon Bay. 
South of the Causeway, Worcester side, 
going north: 

South Bay. 

Point Lookout. 

Leonard Point. (See Title). 

Park Landing. 
Islands south of the Causeway: 

Ram Island. 

Lone Pine Island. 

Long Island. 

Blake Island. 

The Twins. 
North of the Causeway, Worcester side: 

Regatta Point. 

Half-way Pine. 

Pannasunet Point. 

Nannaswane Point. 

Coal Mine Brook. 

Flatlands. 

Paine Cove. 

Lakeside Boat Club.— See Boat Clubs. 

Lake View. — The settlement west of 
Lake Quinsigamond and south of Belmont 
street, and one of the stations on the Wor- 
cester & Shrewsbury railroad, 2*4 miles 



from the City Hall. There is a post-office, 
school-house, church, store, etc., here. 

Lancaster.— The oldest, and one of the 
most beautiful towns in Worcester County. 
It was incorporated in 1653. It is distant 
from Worcester 16 miles, on the Worcester, 
Nashua & Rochester division of the Boston 
& Maine Railroad. Its fine scenery and 
other attractions will well repay a visit. 
Population in 1885, 2,050. 

Laurel Hill.— The elevated region east 
of Summer street, to which Laurel street 
is the leading avenue. 

Law Library.— The Worcester County 
Law Library Association was formed in 
1842, and the library, which comprises 
between eleven and twelve thousand 
volumes, is located in the Granite Court 
House on Court Hill. This library is for 
the use of members of the Bar, but the 
books may be consulted by the public. 

'* Learned Blacksmith."— At the age 

of twenty-one, Elihu Burritt began the 
study of Latin and French, and later 
learned Greek while toiling at the anvil. 
In 1837 he was keeping a small grocery 
store in Connecticut, and failed during the 
financial crisis, losing the little he possessed. 
In quest of opportunity to pursue his favor- 
ite studies and gain a livelihood at the same 
time, he walked to Boston, and from that 
place to Worcester, where he found the 
desired combination in the library of the 
American Antiquarian Society, and em- 
ployment in a blacksmith's shop. A letter 
to William Lincoln soliciting employment 
at translating was shown to Edward 
Everett, who soon heralded Mr. Burritt to 
the world as the " Learned Blacksmith." 
For several years Burritt lectured before 
lyceums, and becoming interested in phil- 
anthropic and kindred subjects estab- 
lished in Worcester the " Christian 
Citizen," 1 ' the first number of which 
appeared Jan. 6, 1844, and was published 
seven years. Mr. Burritt for many years 
devoted himself to the interests of univer- 
sal peace, and resided abroad for a long 
period, part of the time as Consul of the 
United States at Birmingham. He made 
extensive tours on foot through different 
parts of Great Britain, and published sev- 
eral interesting volumes of travel and 
description of home-life of the English and 
Scotch. His last public appearance in 
Worcester was at a peace-meeting held in 
Mechanics Hall, Nov. 24, 1871. He died in 
New Britain, Conn., March 6, 1879, at the 
age of 69. As to Mr. Burritt's familiarity 
with languages, and the number he learned, 
many exaggerated statements have been 
made. His acquisitions in this respect 



LEI— LIB 



42 



were, however, truly wonderful, and his 
achievements worthy of great praise. 
That he should have a critical knowledge 
of all the languages he gained or even of a 
large part of them, was not to be expected; 
but that he had not such knowledge was 
the substance of a comment made by 
Charles Sumner, who appears not to have 
held the attainments of the blacksmith in 
high esteem. 

Leicester.— A town adjoining Worcester 
on the south-west, and 6 miles distant. It 
was incorporated in 1713. The center of 
the town is not accessible by railroad, and 
the nearest station is Rochdale, on the 
Boston & Albany railroad. Population in 
1885, 2,923. 

Leonard Point. — The most prominent 
point of land in Lake Park, extending into 
the water. It is in front of the old estate 
of Samuel Leonard, whose son was cap- 
tured by the Indians in 1697, and while 
being taken to Canada in company with 
Hannah Dustin, escaped with that heroic 
woman, assisting her in her remarkable 
exploit of killing and scalping the party of 
Indians. The boy figures in the histories 
as Leonardson. 

Levels in Worcester. — The elevation 
above tide level of some places in Worces- 
ter is given below: 

At City Hall, 482 feet. 

At Piedmont Church, 508 feet. 

At Salisbury's Pond, 490 feet; (surface of 
the water which varies.) 

At Elm Park, 498 feet. 

Top of Millstone Hill, 780 feet. 

Top of Chandler Hill, 721 feet. 

Top of Pakachoag Hill, 693 feet. 

Top of Newton Hill, 672 feet. 

Libraries. — In the Massachusetts Spy of 
May 23, 1793, appears an announcement of 
the annual meeting of " The Worcester 
Associate Circulating Library Company,' 1 '' 
Thomas Pay son, librarian. Subscribers 
were notified that the books would be 
ready on the 4th of June. This association 
was later known as the Worcester Social 
Library, and appears to have existed some 
forty years, for the books belonging to it 
were sold by auction March 6, 1833. We 
are informed by Librarian S. ». Green, in 
his article on the Libraries of Worcester, 
published in the recent History of Worces- 
ter County, that an association was formed 
here in 1811 called the "Military Library 
Society in the Seventh Division,' 1 '' and that 
it possessed a small collection of books. 
The library of the Fraternity of Odd Fel- 
lows was maintained a few years from 
about 1825. March 12, 1830, the " Worces- 
ter County Athenozum " was incorporated, 



with the intention of forming a library for 
general use. Thirty-four proprietors pur- 
chased shares at $25 each, and organized 
with Rev. George Allen as President, F. W. 
Paine, Treasurer, and William Lincoln, 
Secretary. A good collection of books was 
made, but the association was discontinued 
after a few years, and the books went to 
the American Antiquarian Society. The 
Worcester Lyceum, formed Nov. 5, 1829, 
and the Young Men's Library Association 
in Aug., 1852, united in 1856 under the 
name of the Lyceum and Library Associa- 
tion, and consolidated their libraries } which 
formed the nucleus of the circulating de- 
partment of the Free Public Library in 
1859. This library was kept in the upper 
story of the Bank building on Foster street, 
where also were deposited the private 
library of Dr. John Green and the Wor- 
cester District Medical Library. All these 
were in charge of John Gray as librarian. 
Dr. Green gave his library to the City, and 
endowed it. (See Free Public Library.) 

The principal libraries in Worcester at 
the present time are here named: 

American Antiquarian Society, q. v. 

Free Public Library, q. v. 

Worcester Society of Antiquity, q. v. 

Worcester County Law Library. (See 
Law Library.) 

Worcester District Medical Library. 
(See Medical Library.) 

Worcester County Mechanics Associa- 
tion. (See Mechanics Association.) 

Worcester County Horticultural Socie- 
ty. (See Horticultural Society.) 

The High School has a library of some 
size, and the Musical Association and 
Choral Union possess libraries of books 
pertaining to music. Several educational 
and other institutions also own collections 
of books. 

Libraries, (Private).— The largest pri- 
vate libraries in the city are said to be 
those of Senator Hoar and Jonas G. Clark, 
Esq. There are large libraries at the 
Green Hill mansion, and at "The Oaks" on 
Lincoln street. The valuable library of the 
late John B. Gough is preserved at Hillside. 
Its principal treasure is the collection of 
Cruikshank's illustrations, some of them 
being original drawings and sketches. 
Of others in private hands, several are 
not mentioned in deference to the 
wishes of their owners. Of especially 
curious and unique collections, that of 
Mr. Nathaniel Paine is, perhaps, the most 
noteworthy, for a large proportion of the 
books bear evidence of the individuality or 
handiwork of the owner, who has spent 
much time, labor and money in elaborating 
and extending by extra illustrations many 
standard and scarce editions. Among 
other rarities may be mentioned the Bio- 



43 



LIG— LIN 



graphies and Portraits of the Signers of 
the Declaration of Independence, with 
autographs inserted. Postmaster James 
E. Estabrook has a fine private library, 
comprising many standard works of his- 
tory and biography in the best editions, with 
a large number relating to the drama, per- 
sonal memoirs, etc. In old books, Hon. 
Clark Jillson easily leads in these parts, 
and probably in New England. The printed 
catalogue of his library, issued from his 
own private press, informs us that he is 
the possessor of eleven books printed 
before the year 1500, and many others of 
great rarity issued in the 16th and 17th cen- 
turies. His earhst imprint is 1470. Between 
Judge Jillson and Mr. Samuel H. Putnam, 
of the bookselling firm of Putnam, Davis 
& Co., a pleasant rivalry has existed in 
the matter of old books, and the latter has 
also succeeded in obtaining a volume bear- 
ing the date 1470. Mr. Putnam's facilities 
in trade during the past twenty-five years 
have enabled him to gather a fine collec- 
tion of books in standard and scarce 
editions, covering the field of general litera- 
ture, and the volumes have been carefully 
selected. Mr. Alfred H. Roe has made a 
specialty of Rebellion literature, and his 
collection is large and exhaustive. He has 
not, however, neglected other departments. 
Mr. Ellery B. Crane, president of the Wor- 
cester Society of Antiquity, has probably 
the best private collection of books on 
genealogy and heraldry in this vicinity. It 
contains such works as the Domesday 
Book, Playf air's British Family Antiquity , 
many English County Visitations and 
Church Registers, Burke's General Armory 
and many others. Mr. Richard O'Flynn 
has gathered during many years a private 
library illustrating the history of Ireland 
and of the Irish people, and his books have 
been well conned, for he is an authority 
upon the subjects of which they treat. 
The library of the compiler of this Dic- 
tionary principally consists of books upon 
subjects relating to the political history of 
the United States, in which he has a par- 
ticular interest. There are other private 
collections worthy of notice, and which do 
their owners much credit. 

light Infantry. — This company was 
organized in 1804, in response to a demand 
for better conditioned militia. The first 
public parade was made June 6, 1804, under 
command of Capt. Levi Thaxter. Sept. 11, 
1814, this company marched to Boston with 
the Worcester Artillery to repel expected 
British invasion. They remained in camp 
at South Boston till Oct. 31, when they 
returned. In 1861 the Light Infantry be- 
longed to the 6th Regt., and quickly 
responded to the call for troops to suppress 
the Rebellion, leaving Worcester on the 



17th of April, and passed safely through 
Baltimore on the memorable 19th, when a 
portion of the command was massacred in 
that city. After three months 1 service, 
most of which was in Maryland, the com- 
pany arrived home on the 1st of August. 
It is now attached to the 2d Regt., and 
designated as Company C. 

Lincoln House.— A popular hotel, 
located on Elm street. The Main street 
block in front, now used for other pur- 
poses, was opened in connection with the 
present hotel, as the Lincoln House, June 
2, 1856. This establishment not being 
successful, the property was divided, the 
rear portion only, which had been a hotel — 
the old "Worcester House"— since 1835, 
being now confined to that use. The old 
part of the building was erected in 1812 by 
Hon. Levi Lincoln, and occupied as a resi- 
dence by him till 1835. There was a fine 
garden in front, the site of which was 
covered by a row of low buildings called 
the Tombs, and later by the present Lin- 
coln House block. 

Lincoln Park. — The pleasure ground at 
the terminus of the Worcester & Shrews- 
bury railroad, Lake Quinsigamond. Dur- 
ing the Summer season band playing and 
other attractions are maintained here 
daily, and Sundays especially. Steam- 
boats make frequent trips from wharves 
at the park, down the Lake, and above the 
causeway to Natural History Camp. Abun- 
dant facilities for boating are also afforded 
close by. The Island House is connected 
by a bridge with the park. The park is 
private property. 

Lincoln Sqnare.— At the north end of 
Main street. Highland, Salisbury, Prescott, 
Lincoln, Belmont, Summer and Union 
streets all radiate from this point. On the 
north is the old Salisbury mansion, one of 
the most interesting buildings in Worcester. 
The wooden structure on the corner of 
Belmont street, was, in its original form, 
occupied early in the century by Hon. Levi 
Lincoln, as a residence. On the east side 
of Summer street can be seen the old 
Antiquarian Hall, erected by Isaiah 
Thomas in 1820; between Summer and 
Union streets are the substantial Dean and 
Salisbury buildings erected by Stephen 
Salisbury, Esq. At the entrance to Court 
hill is the hall and treasure-house of the 
American Antiquarian Society, while in full 
view in different directions are the County 
Court Houses on the hill; the residence of 
Mr. Salisbury, on Highland street; the new 
Central church and parsonage, on Salisbury 
street; and beyond, the new Armory build- 
ing, nearly ready for occupation. The 
steam railroad and [horse car lines pass 



LIT— MAN 



44 



through the square. The station of the 
Boston & Maine and Fitchburg Railroads 
stands between Lincoln and Prescott 
streets. 

Literary Men.— The atmosphere of Wor- 
cester seems not to be favorable for the 
cultivation either of literature or the fine 
arts, and literary men are not inclined to 
take up a residence here, although there 
are some apparent attractions and advan- 
tages. Nor in the past do we find many 
names among residents of the place 
which can be enrolled with those en- 
titled to literary fame. Rev. Aaron Ban- 
croft was a writer of some merit, but not 
equal to his distinguished son, George Ban- 
croft, the historian, who was born here in 
1800. The elder Bancroft wrote perhaps 
the first life of Washington published in 
this country. William Sheldon, an English- 
man and a litterateur of versatility, resided 
in Worcester a few years previous to 1812. 
He was employed by Isaiah Thomas to 
supervise the publication of the History of 
Printing, was editor of the Spy, and wrote 
one or two books while he lived in the 
place. William Charles White, "player, 
poet, advocate and author, 1 ' was in 
Worcester more or less during the 
period 1797-1818, and died here the last 
named year. Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, a 
brother of the celebrated " Peter Parley, 11 
was minister of the Old South Church from 
1816 to 1820. He was the author of several 
historical works. William Lincoln, the his- 
torian of Worcester, was a writer of 
elegance. Rev. John S. C. Abbott, best 
known as the author of the life of Napo- 
leon, was pastor of the Calvinist Church in 
Worcester from 1830 to 1835. He was a 
writer of marked ability, and his produc- 
tions were widely circulated. " The Mother 
at Home,' 1 written in Worcester, passed 
through many editions, and was translated 
into nearly all the European langauges. 
It was printed in Greek at Athens, and in 
Dutch at the Cape of Good Hope. Elihu 
Burritt (see Learned Blacksmith) was a 
resident here several years. Rev. Edward 
Everett Hale was pastor of the Church of 
the Unity from 1846 to 1856. Thomas Went- 
worth Higginson lived in Worcester before 
the War, and was succeeded as minister of 
the Free Church by David A. Wasson, who 
will be remembered as one of the contribu- 
tors to the Atlantic Monthly of twenty -five 
years ago. 

Locomotive Engineers, (Brother- 
hood of). — Worcester Division, No. 64, 
was organized ia 1868, and meets at 405 
Main street. Bay State Lodge, No. 73, 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, 
organized in 1877, occupy rooms at 302 
Main street. 



Long Pond.— See Lake Quinsigamond. 

Lumber Dealers' Association.— After 

one or two preliminary meetings of the 
lumber dealers of the city, an organization 
was perfected on the 20th of January, 1886, 
under the name of the Lumber Dealers' 1 
Association of Worcester, its object being 
to promote a friendly and social feeling 
among the dealers in that branch of trade, 
and to inaugurate such measxires as might 
tend, so far as possible, to elevate the con- 
dition of all persons in any way connected 
with the business. William H. Sawyer is 
president, and Ellery B. Crane, secretary. 



Lunatic Hospitals. - 
lums. 



-See Insane Asy- 



Lutheran Churches. — A German 
Lutheran Church has recently been organ- 
ized, which worships at the Mission Chapel 
on Summer street. The Norwegian 
Lutheran Society organized in 1887, meets 
at 44 Front street. {See Swedish Churches). 

Lynde Brook.— This brook rises in 
Leicester, and flows south to supply the 
Worcester City-reservoir in that town, 
thence to Cherry Valley where it meets 
Kettle Brook. 

Magazines Published in Worcester. 
— The Massachusetts Spy suspended pub- 
lication from 1786 to 1788, in consequence 
of the tax upon newspapers, and the Wor- 
cester Magazine in octavo form, appeared 
in its place. The Worcester Magazine and 
Historical Journal, edited by William 
Lincoln and Christopher C. Baldwin, 
was published in 1825-6. This publica- 
tion is now scarce. There was another 
Worcester Magazine which was printed 
in 1843, and edited by John Milton Thayer, 
since governor of Nebraska. Elihu Burritt 
printed for a short time the Literary 
Qeminoz, a magazine in French and English. 

Maine, (Natives of ).— This association 
was formed in 1882, and now numbers 800. 
E. H. Trowbridge is president, and J. K. 
Greene, secretary. 

Manufactures. — There are so many 
different articles manufactured in Worces- 
ter, that a complete list cannot be given, 
but some idea of the variety of products 
can be had from those mentioned below: 
Agricultural machinery, artists 1 plates,awls 
and machine needles, belting, bicycles, 
blacking, bolts, brass work, band instru- 
ments, boots and shoes, beer, brooms, 
brushes, card clothing, carpets, carriages, 
chemicals, confectionery, copying presses, 
corsets, cutlery, dies, doors, blinds and 
sash, drain pipes, ^drills, emery wheels, 



45 



—MAN 



elevators, envelopes, files, fire-arms, fire- 
extinguishers, furniture, ginghams, horse 
blankets, iron castings, lasts, looms, 
malleable iron, marble and stone work, 
moulding, organs and reeds, paper 
machinery, patent medicines, plating, 
pottery, presses, railroad cars, railroad 
iron, refrigerators, reed and harness, 
satinets, saws, skates, soap, steam boilers, 
steam engines, steel, tacks and nails, tape, 
trunks, tools, turbine wheels, wood- working 
machinery, water meters, wire, wrenches, 
yarns. Some of the more important 
branches of manufacture are noticed 
below. Full particulars cannot here be 
entered into, and mere facts are stated 
without any attempt to digest them. 

Agricultural Implements. Oliver Weth- 
erbee made plows in Worcester in 1820. 
William A. Wheeler also made plows and 
implements about the same time, or soon 
after. In 1833 Joel Nourse, who had pre- 
viously manufactured cast-iron plows in 
Shrewsbury, established in Worcester the 
business carried on for many years by Rug- 
gles, Nourse & Mason. This firm was 
formed in 1838, and occupied the Court 
Mills, making plows and a variety of im- 
plements. In 1860 they were succeeded by 
Oliver Ames & Sons, and in 1874 the works 
were removed to the new shop on Prescott 
street. The Ames Plow Co. now employ 
about 175 men, and make all kinds of agri- 
cultural implements, wheelbarrows, meat 
cutters, etc. J. M. C. Armsby manufac- 
tured agricultural implements here some 
years ago, and mowing machines have been 
made by different parties. 



Boots and Shoes and Leather. The 
boot and shoe business has been and is an 
important contributor to the prosperity of 
Worcester. The largest establishments at 
present are named in the following list: 
F. W. Blacker, successor to J. H. & G. M. 
Walker, Eaton place; Hey wood Boot and 
Shoe Co., Winter street; Bay State Shoe 
and Leather Co., Austin street; Goddard, 
Stone & Co., Austin street; C. C. Houghton 
& Co., Front street; E. H. Stark & Co., 
Main street; Samuel Brown, Barton place; 
Bemis & Fletcher, Front street; J. E. Wes- 
son, Mulberry street; Whitcomb & Miles, 
Shrewsbury street; David Cummings & Co., 
King street. The whole number of hands 
employed in 1885 was 2,633. 

It is now difficult to determine at just 
what time the distinction should be made 
between the shoemaker and the manufac- 
turer; for if a man made a few extra pairs 
of shoes and offered them for sale, he 
became a manufacturer. In 1801, Lefavor 
& Blanehard advertised "Ladies 1 Shoemak- 
ing Business," one door north of Barker's 
Tavern in Worcester. The next year they 



were succeeded by Doliver & Swasey. In 
1807, Jonathan Martin set up here as "Boot 
and Shoemaker in General,'" and the name 
of John Sweetser, Shoemaker, also appears 
in the public prints. In 1811, Aaron C. 
Coleman, "Boot and Shoemaker from 
New York, 11 had a shop near the Court 
House. The "Boot and Shoe Manufactory 1 * 
of Lemuel Snow was located opposite 
Waldo's store, in 1815, and the name of 
Wm. Tracy also appears in connection with 
the business about this time. Others were 
Howe & Smith (1816), Thomas Howe (1818), 
Miles Putnam and Benjamin B. Otis (1825), 
and Aug. Cowdin (1826). Later well known 
manufacturers were Ansel Larkin, Timothy 
S. Stone (1835-1871); Joseph Walker and his 
sons (1843-1888); BJiss Bros, (about 1850), 
Smyth Bros. (1852-1872), Hiram French 
(1852-1872), Rufus Wesson (1850-1873), Aaron 
G. Walker (1853-1873), C. H. Fitch, Alba 
Houghton, E. N. Childs, Luther Stowe, 
David Cummings, H. B. Jenks, and H. B. 
Fay. 

Of boot and shoe dealers in the past, 
Oliver A. Hervey appears in 1813; Lemuel 
Snow, in 1814; John A. Lazell, 1816; Seth 
Reed, 1821. Miss Elizabeth Denny, ladies 1 
shoes, 1821; Jonathan Wood, 1823; Earle & 
Chase, Worcester Shoe Store, 1824; Putnam 
& Otis, 1831 ; James Whittemore, 1831 ; Rufus 
W. Whiting, in 1833. The latter was suc- 
ceeded in 1835 by Geo. W. Wheeler, after- 
wards for many years City Treasurer. 
Whiting started the first railroad express 
business in this country (see Express 
Business). Other dealers from 1837 to 1845 
were Amos Cutter, E. N. Harrington, John 
P. Southgate and James H. Wall, W. B. 
Whittaker, J. F. Edwards, Cyrus W. and 
Asa S. Stratton, Benjamin B. Hill and Aaron 
Stone, Jr., Samuel B. Scott, Cyrus C. Chick- 
ering, Otis & Baker, Baker & Thompson, 
Chas. B. Robbins, Jeremiah Bond, Amma 
Beaman and Chas. M. Foster, Thomas 
Earle, J. B. & Jas. D. Fuller, David B. Hub- 
bard, Olney F. Thompson and Chas. Bal- 
lard, Edward Southwick, Hale & Wright. 
The oldest boot and shoe store is that of 
Berais & Co., at 421 and 423 Main street, 
established by Edward Bemis in 1846. 

In 1879, Palmer and Daniel Goulding 
owned the Tanyard in Worcester. In 1800, 
it was in the hands of Andrew Tufts, and 
later owners were Samuel Johnson, Thomas 
Stearns, Asa Wilder & Co., Nymphas Pratt 
and Ebenezer H. Bowen. The old tannery 
was in the rear of the Exchange Hotel, 
down old Market street. Well-known 
leather dealers in times past were Reuben 
Wheeler (1819), Samuel Allen and Levi A. 
Dowley (1826), Benj. B. Hill & Co. (1835), E. 
N. Harrington and J. H. Wall (1837), and 
John P. Southgate (1838). 

A patent right for putting boots and shoes 
together with copper nails was advertised 



MAN- 



46 



in the Worcester papers in 1813. This was 
years before shoe pegs were used. India 
rubber overshoes were first offered for 
sale in 1827. Thomas Howe, about 1830, 
invented improvements for cutting and 
crimping boots. 

Card Clothing. At the beginning of 
this century the town of Leicester was the 
center of card-making industry in the 
United States. The teeth at that time were 
generally inserted in the leather by hand, 
though Eleazer Smith of Walpole had in- 
vented a card-setting machine soon after 
the close of the revolutionary war, and 
Amos Whittemore had obtained a patent 
for one in 1797. That these machines were 
not successfully used is shown by the fact 
that as late as 1819, Joshua Lamb obtained 
a patent for a machine to make the wire 
teeth which were afterwards to be put in 
by hand, which continued to be done until 
about 1830. William B. Earle made one of 
the first successful card-sticking machines 
about 1829. Previous to this date several 
different machines for making teeth had 
been invented. A collection of these can 
be seen in the museum of the Worcester 
Society of Antiquity, and comprises the 
following: One made by Pliny Earle of 
Leicester in 1793; one made by Eleazer 
Smith in 1812; two by Charles Elliott, 
1815-17 ; one rotary, inventor and date un- 
known ; and an English machine called a 
Bednigo. The sticking machine made by 
William B. Earle in 1829, and the one con- 
structed under his direction since his 
blindness are also in the possession of the 
society. Mr. Earle, now living in his 87th 
year, built many machines in Worcester, 
and other extensive builders were N. Ains- 
worth, Samuel W. Kent, David McFarland 
and David O. Woodman. 

Daniel Denny appears to have been the 
first manufacturer of cards in Worcester. 
He had a factory in 1798 at the north cor- 
ner of Main and Mechanic streets. In 1834 
William B. Earle made cards here; and in 
1843 Timothy K. and Edward Earle moved 
from Leicester, and established the busi- 
ness now carried on by the T. K Earle Manu- 
facturing Company on Grafton street. The 
Earle factory is one of the largest and best 
equipped in the country. The Sargent 
Card Clothing Company was formed in 
1866, and the large factory built on South- 
bridgre street, which, with the business, 
passed into the hands of James Smith & 
Co., of Philadelphia, in 1879. Howard Broth- 
ers began in 1868, and Charles F. Kent in 
1880. Some forty years ago a Timothy 
Earle (not T. K.) was in company with a 
man named Eames, and they made cards 
in a small way on Front street. Ichabod 
Washburn also manufactured cards in con- 
nection with his other branches of business 



about 1848, and Earle Warner was another 
manufacturer at the same time. 

The making of card-clothing is now a 
monopoly, and the industry is controlled 
by a few, the policy having been to absorb 
the smaller concerns in the larger ones. 
At least one-third of the machines in the 
United States — some 500— are operated in 
Worcester, about 125 hands being employed 
here. For the above facts the Dictionary 
is indebted to Thomas A. Dickinson, who 
has devoted much time and labor in the 
collection of materials for a history of the 
card-clothing industry. 



Envelopes. There are three envelope 
manufactories in the city. The Whitcomb 
Envelope Co., on Salisbury street: The 
Logan, Swift & Brigham Co., on Union 
street, and W. H. Hill's, on Grafton street. 
The latter is the oldest establishment. 
About one-third of the envelopes made in 
this country are produced by the Worces- 
ter factories; between three and four hun- 
dred persons being employed. Dr. Russell 
L. Hawes, of Worcester, invented the first 
successful machine for making envelopes, 
and it was first operated in Worcester in 
1852 or '53. Dr. Hawes began the business 
in the Earle building in the quarters now 
occupied by Mr. Hill. The Whitcomb Com- 
pany was founded in 1864, and the Logan, 
Swift & Brigham Co. in 1884. James G. 
Arnold and D. W. and H. D. Swift, are the 
inventors of the most important principles 
and features of the envelope machinery in 
use here at the present time. 



Fire Arms. The famous Waters armory 
or fire-arms manufactory was established 
in 1808 by Asa Waters, 2d, in that part of 
Sutton now Millbury, and was continued in 
operation till 1845, and revived during the 
Civil war. Harding Slocomb, Clarendon 
Wheelock, Orlando Ware, Joseph S. Ware 
and John R. Morse were engaged in Wor- 
cester in the manufacture of fire-arms in a 
limited way during the period 1820 to 1835. 
Ethan Allen, widely known as an enterpris- 
ing man in this business, came to Worces- 
ter in 1847, and occupied a part of the Mer- 
rifield building until the fire of 1854, and 
subsequent to that erected and occupied a 
brick building near the junction station. 
His brothers-in-law, Charles Thurber and 
J. P. Wheelock, were at different times as- 
sociated with him, and his sons-in-law, Sul- 
livan Forehand and Henry C. Wadsworth, 
succeeded to the business, which is at pres- 
ent continued by Mr. Forehand, who occu- 
pies the stone building on Gardner street 
erected by the late Daniel Tainter. Mr. 
Allen made many valuable improvements 
in fire-arms, and invented machinery for 
their manufacture, and the making of 
cartridges of metal. Frank Wesson, Frank 



47 



—MAN" 



Copeland, B. F. Joslyn, G. H. Harrington 
and William A. Richardson are other names 
well known in the business. The two latter 
continue under the name of the Harrington 
& Richardson Arms Company and manu- 
facture revolvers. Mr. Forehand makes a 
specialty of breech-loading sporting guns. 
Iver Johnson & Co. is another firm manu- 
facturing guns and pistols, bicycles, and 
other wares. 



Looms. Early loom builders in Worces- 
ter were William Hovey and William H. 
Howard. Silas Dinsmore, Prescott Whee- 
lock, Fitzroy Willard, and Phelps & Bick- 
ford are other well-known names in con- 
nection with loom building. Forbush & 
Crompton followed the latter firm, and in 
1859 Mr. Forbush removed to Philadelphia, 
disposing of his interest in Worcester to 
Mr. Crompton, who conducted the business 
alone till his death in 1886. The Crompton 
Loom Works are now owned by a stock 
company. The firm of L. J. Knowles & 
Bro. began to manufacture looms at War- 
ren in war time, and removed to Worcester 
in 1866. The Knowles Loom Works will 
shortly remove to the new shop built by the 
company on Tainter street. The Gilbert 
Loom Co., on Union street, was established 
in 1866. Several hundred hands are em- 
ployed in this industry. 



Machinists 1 Tools. Machinists 1 tools 
have been extensively manufactured here 
in the past. The pioneer in this line was 
probably Samuel Flagg, who began to 
make lathes, tools, etc., at the old Court 
Mills about fifty years ago. Pierson Cowie, 
at the Red Mills on Green street, was 
another early manufacturer of machinists 1 
tools. He was succeeded by Wood, Light 
& Co., and they built the large shop south 
of the junction, now occupied by the 
Mclver Bros. 1 Machine Co. Lucius W. 
Pond was a successor of Samuel Flagg, and 
occupied the building on Union street for 
about fifteen years previous to 1875 ; he was 
succeeded by the Pond Machine Tool Co. 
recently removed to Plainfield, N. J. The 
Lathe & Morse Tool Co., Gold street, 
employ about 50 hands. P. Blaisdell & Co., 
Jackson street, employ 100 men. The 
Powell Planer Co., Prentice Bros., L. W. 
Pond Machine Co. and F. E. Reed are other 
large concerns, and there are numerous 
smaller ones. 



Musical Instruments. In 1834 Stephen 
W. Marsh and Levi Liscom manufactured 
piano-fortes in a room in Central Exchange. 
Isaac Fiske manufactured band instru- 
ments here for nearly forty years, and the 
business is continued by Conn & Co., 
Crompton's block on Mechanic street. 
JSeraphines and melodions were made in 



Worcester before 1850, early makers being 
Milton M. Morse, a Mr. Jewett, and Farley, 
Pierson & Co. From these instruments the 
cabinet organ has been developed, and sev- 
eral large companies have at different 
times engaged in the manufacture in Wor- 
cester, of whom Taylor & Farley were 
longest in business. The Loring & Blake 
Co., on Union street, was incorporated in 
1868. The Taber Organ Co., and the Wor- 
cester Organ Co. are others now making 
organs, and the latter also make pianos. 
There are also three large manufactories of 
organ reeds. 

Railroad Iron. In 1857 Nathan Wash- 
burn erected the works on the Blooming- 
dale road now known as the Worcester 
Steel Works. Mr. Washburn was the in- 
ventor of a car-wheel, which he had manu- 
factured for several years in another part 
of the city, and built the new works to use 
in part to make these wheels and locomo- 
tive tires, but was soon induced by George 
W. Gill, whom he had taken in partnership, 
to engage in rolling iron rails, which have 
continued to be the principal product of 
the plant to the present time. In 1864 a 
company known as the Washburn Iron Co. 
was formed, and by change of ownership 
in 1883, it became the Worcester Steel 
Works. Hon. George M. Rice is the prin- 
cipal owner. Some years ago, in conse- 
quence of the general f adoption of steel 
rails, the machinery and methods were 
changed to meet the demand, and steel 
rails are now produced by the Bessemer 
process. Coal and iron mines have recently 
been acquired in Rhode Island, which give 
this company a great advantage. Some 
400 men are employed in the works, and 
230 tons can be produced daily. 



Wire. The Stowells made wire in Wor- 
cester during the war of 1812, but it was 
afterwards imported at a lower price than 
it could be produced with the rude Ameri- 
can appliances. The present extensive 
works of the Washburn & Moen Manufac- 
turing Co. are the outcome of the business 
established in a small way by Ichabod 
Washburn, who first began to make wire 
in a factory at Northviile in 1831 or '32, in 
company with Benjamin Goddard. In 1835 
Mr. Washburn occupied a building erected 
by the late Hon. Stephen Salisbury on 
Grove street, and this was the nucleus of 
the large mills at that locality. A mill was 
in operation at South Worcester owned by 
Mr. Washburn and his brother Charles, the 
latter also being interested in establishing 
the branch mill at Quinsigamond. In 1868 
the present company was formed with a 
capital of one million dollars, which has 
been increased to a million and a half. 
The first piano wire made in this country 



MAN— MAP 



48 



was produced by Mr. Washburn, and the 
manufacture is continued at the present 
time. All varieties and sizes of iron and 
steel wire, including card and telegraph 
wire, are drawn in these mills; and barbed 
fence wire has for the last twelve years 
formed a large portion of the product. 
Copper wire is also extensively manufac- 
tured. The works of the Washburn & 
Moen Co. form the largest wire manufac- 
tory in the world, and the largest single 
enterprise in Worcester. Over 3,000 hands 
are employed, and the annual product is 
about 70,000 tons of wire. 

The Worcester Wire Company manufac- 
ture various kinds of wire at South 
Worcester. This is an off-shoot of the 
Washburn & Moen Co., and was established 
by William E. Rice, who was formerly 
connected with the older concern. 



Wood Working Machinery. In 1803 
Abel Stowell, of Worcester, received from 
the president of the United States a patent 
for the invention of a " gauge augre," so 
constructed as to bore a hole of any given 
size from one inch to two and a half inches, 
with the same shank or handle, and by 
means of another shank a hole from two 
and a half to six inches diameter. In a 
paper on the manufacture of lumber, by 
Ellery B. Crane, printed in the Proceedings 
of the Worcester Society of Antiquity for 
1884, (in Vol. VI of the collections) we find 
the following : " It is claimed that Wor- 
cester County is the locality in this country 
in which lumber was first manufactured 
from the log with the circular saw ; and 
there are various stories as to who set the 
first one in motion in this vicinity. Mr. 
Lewis Brown is reported as having oper- 
ated the first one at the old Bed Mill, which 
stood near the spot now occupied by the 
Crompton Loom Works. It is also claimed 
that a Mr. Flagg was the pioneer; but from 
the best information at hand, I think the 
credit should be given to Willard Earle, a 
native of Hubbardston. Mr. Earle was an 
enterprising and ingenious man, and early 
engaged in the manufacture of lumber. 
While thus employed, about the year 1817, 
he visited Boston on business, and going 
into Mr. Thomas Holt's hardware store in 
Dock square, his eye fell upon a package 
of circular saws, which for some time past 
had been an object of curiosity — an unex- 
plained marvel. Mr. Earle's keen, percep- 
tive eye enabled him to unravel the mys- 
tery. He listened to Mr. Holt's story, how 
some time before he had sent to England 
an order for hardware, among the rest a 
few dozen circular saws, meaning keyhole 
or fret saws, to cost about five pounds 
sterling; and on receiving the goods how 
astonished he was at finding these round 
saws, which no mortal man knew the use 



of, and which had cost him so much 
money. Mr. Earle purchased the saws for 
a small sum and took them to Hubbard- 
ston, where he used them in sawing lum- 
ber. Previous to 1830, he constructed a 
machine, for which he took out a patent, 
using one of these saws for cutting shin- 
gles." 

William T. Merrifield used a circular saw 
driven by horse-power in Worcester as 
early as 1828, and in 1842 he constructed in 
Princeton the first steam saw-mill, with 
circular saws, in Worcester county. In 
1834 Thomas E. Daniels, of Worcester, ob- 
tained a patent for a traverse planer, and 
soon after began to manufacture his 
machines at the old Court Mills, where he 
continued until 1848, and sold the business 
to Richard Ball. Mr. Ball took in partner- 
ship Thomas H. Rice, and after the with- 
drawal of the latter, Warren Williams, the 
firm being Ball & Williams. Later it was 
known as R. Ball & Co., and is continued 
in the present firm of Witherby, Rugg & 
Richardson on Salisbury street, who manu- 
facture planing and moulding machines. 
Other firms and individuals in this line 
were Howe, Cheney & Co., 1850; Charles 
Price, E. C. Tainter and J. A. Fay & 
Co. The latter, formerly of Keene, N. H., 
and Norwich, Ct., occupied a part of the 
Junction (Col. Estabrook's) shop, for a 
year or two, and were succeeded in 1862 by 
Richardson, Meriam & Co., who continued 
until 1877. In 1864 the latter firm opened 
a warehouse on Liberty street in New 
York, and built up a large foreign trade. 
Mclver Bros. 1 Machine Co. are the succes- 
sors of this firm, and are now located in 
the Wood & Light shop beyond the junc- 
tion. Besides wood-working machinery 
they make a variety of machines used in 
hulling and sorting coffee, for the Central 
and South American trade. 

Mr. H. C. Wight, of Worcester, invented 
a matching machine in 1848, which was the 
means of great saving of lumber. 

Maps of Worcester.— The following 
comprise the more important maps of 
Worcester : 

In the possession of the Worcester Soci- 
ety of Antiquity, and unpublished: 

Map showing the locations of the settlers 
in 1675. 

Map showing the locations of the settlers 
in 1684. 

Map showing distribution of lots by the 
proprietors from 171T to 1733. 

All of the above were drawn by Ellery B. 
Crane. 

In the possession of the American Anti- 
quarian Society: 

MS. Map of the town in 1784. 

MS. Map of the town in 1829. 

MS. Map. Copy of the one in the Secre- 



49 



MAE— MAS 



tary of State's office at Boston. 

There is also a copy of the latter in the 
library of the Worcester Society of Antiq- 
uity. 

Map of the village in 1829. 
town " 1833. 

Both published by Clarendon Harris. 

MS. Map in library of American Anti- 
quarian Society, probably made by William 
Lincoln. 

A small copper- plate map appears in the 
Worcester Directory published by Henry 
J. Howland, from 1844 to 1857, and changes 
in streets, etc., were made from year to 
year. An enlarged map accompanied the 
directory from 1858. 

Map of the town in 1851, published by 
Warren Lazell. 

A large map was engraved by Addison 
Prentiss about 35 years ago, and S. P. R. 
Triscott drew three maps from 1873 to 1877, 
one of which, showing localities in old 
times, appears in Caleb A. Wall's " Remi- 
niscences of Worcester.'''' 

Drew, Allis & Co., publishers of the Direc- 
tory, have for several years issued a map 
which may be had separate from the book. 

A Real -estate Atlas was published in 1870 
by F. W. Beers & Co., N. Y., and this was 
superseded by another in 1886. 

The City Engineer has several volumes 
of maps in MS., representing in detail the 
different sections of the city. 

Markets.— The markets of Worcester 
are not as good as they should be in a city 
of its size and pretensions. In smaller 
places in the eastern part of the state, pro- 
visions of much better quality can be found 
than are generally kept here, for the resi- 
dents, if not satisfied, can resort to the 
Boston markets ; but Worcester is too far 
away to fear competition in the metropo- 
lis. A great deal of poor meat is brought 
into the place, and a large proportion of 
the beef-steaks dispensed here are ill- 
fed, gummy, and, according to a gen- 
tleman in high official position, fit 
only for gate hinges. 1 ' The dealers are, 
perhaps, not wholly to blame, for they 
claim that a low price is more of a desider- 
atum with their customers, even with some 
of the " Upper-ten, 1 ' than good material. 
Meat eating appears to have become a 
mere perfunctory operation with the mass 
of the inhabitants, and the few who 
demand the best quality often go without. 

Market, (Public).— In 1868 a free public 
market was established on the north side 
of the City Hall, on Front street, the side- 
walks being roofed in for the purpose. It 
was opened August 29. It was intended 
for the benefit of country producers, and 
consequently the city shop keepers did not 
regard the scheme with complacency, and 



sent their own wagons, with meat and pro- 
duce from their private markets to com- 
pete with and crowd out the others. Not 
proving a success, the market was discon- 
tinued after a year or so, and the roof over 
the sidewalk, which had much darkened 
the windows of the police station in the 
basement of the City Hall, was removed. 

Market, (Wood and Hay) .—Formerly 
the wood and hay market was on Main 
street, front of the Old South church, but 
latterly it has been established in Salem 
square. It will probably soon be removed to 
some other place. 

Marriage Licenses. — Marriage licenses 
are issued by the City Clerk, and a fee of 
fifty cents is charged. Copies can be ob- 
tained for twenty-five cents after the cer- 
tificate is returned by the clergyman or 
person qualified to perform the marriage 
ceremony. The applicant for a license is 
advised to put on a bold face and at once 
make known his errand to the young lady 
assistant, to whom he is sure to be referred 
if he applies to the City Clerk, for the latter 
rarely fills out the blanks. If the candi- 
date for matrimonial honors feels himself 
too bashful to undergo the ordeal he will 
be furnished with a form which he can fill 
out himself. The full names of the con- 
tracting parties, color, age, place of resi- 
dence, occupation, number of the marriage, 
place of birth, and fathers and mother's 
names of each are required. As some of 
the newspapers publish intentions of mar- 
riage daily, it will be well for those who do 
not desire publicity before hand, not to 
procure the license until the day the cere- 
mony is to be performed. The Clerk's 
office is open from 9 to 1 and 2 to 4.30. 

Masonic Societies.— Isaiah Thomas was 
the prime mover in establishing Free- 
masonry in Worcester, and mainly through 
his efforts Morning Star Lodge was char- 
tered on the 11th of March, 1793, the char- 
ter members being Nathaniel Paine, Na- 
thaniel Chandler, John Stanton, Ephraim 
Mower,Clark Chandler, Benjamin Andrews, 
Joseph Torrey, Samuel Chandler, Charles 
Chandler, John White, Samuel Brazer, John 
Stowers and Samuel Flagg. Isaiah Thomas 
was the first master. This lodge was con- 
secrated on the 11th of June, 1793, by Most 
Worshipful Grand Master John Cutler and 
officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachu- 
setts. A procession marched from Masons' 
Hall to the North Meeting House, where a 
sermon was preached by the Rev. Aaron 
Bancroft. The lodge held its meetings in 
early times at Mower's Tavern, where the 
Walker Building stands, and at the United 
States Arms, now the Exchange Hotel ; later 
a hall was built by Jedediah Healy, in the 



MAS— 



50 



rear of where the Burnside Building is now 
located, which was occupied for many 
years for Masonic purposes. Morning Star- 
Lodge continued to be an active organiza- 
tion until the great Anti-Masonic agitation 
of 1828 to 1835, when it ceased to be active, 
in common with many of the lodges 
throughout the country. William S. Bar- 
ton, Esq., City Treasurer, has kindly fav- 
ored the Dictionary with a list of the 
names of members of Morning Star Lodge 
in 1824 : Horatio Gates Henshaw, Lemuel 
(or Samuel) Worcester, Capt. Reuben Mon- 
roe, Israel Whitney, Harding Slocomb, 
Oliver White, Oliver Eager, Joel Gleason, 
Varnum Brigham, John A. Lazell, James 
Williams, Isaac Tucker, Benjamin Chapin, 
Simeon Duncan, Capt. John Barnard, 
Thomas Gray, Deacon Benjamin Phelps 
and Jonathan Wentworth. In 1823 
Worcester Chapter of Royal Arch 
Masons was organized, with Benjamin 
Chapin as High Priest. Isaiah Thomas, 
James Wilson, Jonathan Going, Otis Cor- 
bett and Ephraim Mower were others 
prominent in the formation. In 1825 the 
Worcester County Commandery of Knights 
Templars was organized in Holden, with 
James Estabrook as Commander; and 
Hiram Council, Royal and Select Masters, 
was chartered in Sutton in 1826. It is prob- 
able that all these bodies were inactive dur- 
ing the political agitation against Masonry. 

In 1826 a remarkable excitement arose 
over the fate of William Morgan of Batavia, 
New York, who, it was claimed, was about to 
publish a book containing the secrets of the 
Masonic Order. He disappeared suddenly, 
and his fate has never been satisfactorily 
explained. The opponents of Free- 
masonry declared that he had been mur- 
dered, and a strong feeling against the in- 
stitution spread over the land, and nearly 
caused the extermination of the Order. 
The Anti-Masonic party was formed, and 
cast 33,000 votes in 1828, 70,000 in 1829, and 
128,000 in 1830. William Wirt was nominated 
for president as the candidate of the 
party in 1832, but carried only one State, 
Vermont. The feeling against Masons was 
probably as strong in this vicinity as else- 
where, New York State excepted, and sev- 
eral prominent citizens were forward in the 
movement. Pliny Merrick publicly re- 
nounced Masonry, and Rev. George Allen, 
then of Shrewsbury, contributed two 
powerful pamphlets to the cause of Anti- 
Masonry. Mr. Allen had lived in the vicin- 
ity of Batavia, and knew Morgan and sev- 
eral of the parties implicated in the trag- 
edy. He actively aided the efforts of John 
Quincy Adams, Samuel Lathrop and others 
in this State, but opposed Masonry and all 
secret societies on principle and not for 
political ends. 

John Quincy Adams attributed to Isaiah 



Thomas, whom he terms the " arch-devil of 
Masonry, " a great influence in the propa- 
gation of the Order in this country. He 
says (Diary, Sept. 26, 1833,) that the power 
acquired by the institution " might be 
traced to Isaiah Thomas, of Worcester, and 
through him to Benjamin Russell, many 
years publisher of the Boston Centinel. 
They were printers and made fortunes, 
Thomas a very large one, by their types. 
They made Freemasons of all their appren 
tices and journeymen. 1 ' The Anti- Masonic 
agitation had something of the character 
of a frenzy, and died out as suddenly as it 
began; though to-day there is an organiza- 
tion of recent origin with nominally the 
same objects as the one formed in 1827. 

Morning Star Lodge was resuscitated in 
1842, with Horace Chenery, W. M. ; Henry 
Earl, S. W.; Asa Walker, J. W., and Pliny 
Holbrook, Secretary. Meetings were at that 
time held in Dr. Green's building on Main 
street, opposite Central street. Masonry 
has continued to flourish to the present 
time, and this lodge has now about 300 
members. The Worcester County Com- 
mandery of Knights Templars removed to 
Worcester in 1845, and Hiram Council, R. 
dfc S. M., was located here in 1858. The 
former has 450 members, and the latter 
over 500. On the 9th of June, 1859, Mon- 
tacute Lodge was instituted, with William 
A. Smith, Master. Of the Ancient and Ac- 
cepted Scottish Rite, Worcester Lodge of 
Perfection was established in 1863, and has 
at present 250 members of the 4° to 14°. Of 
this Rite Goddard Council, Princes of Je- 
rusalem, 15° and 16", and Lawrence Chap- 
ter of Rose 'Croix, 17° and 18 Q , were insti- 
tuted in 1870. They have each about 175 
members. Athelstan Lodge, F. dfc A. M., 
was formed in 1866 and Quinsigamond 
Lodge in 1871. Eureka Chapter, R. A. M., 
was formed in 1870. Stella Chapter, No. 3, 
Order of the Eastern Star, was organized 
in 1871, and now has about 300 members. 
This Order admits the wives and female rel- 
atives of Masons, but is entirely separate 
and distinct from the Masonic Order 
proper. The late Thomas M. Lamb was 
prominently connected with the Order 
of the Eastern Star, and Daniel Sea- 
grave is the present Grand Secretary of the 
Grand Chapter. 

The different Masonic bodies (with the 
exception of the Order of the Eastern 
Star, which meets at Odd Fellows 1 
Hall, Pleasant street), hold their meet- 
ings in Masonic Hall on Pearl street, 
which is under the control of the Masonic 
Board of Directors, formed in 1867. The 
Masonic Order may be defined as a secret 
fraternal and charitable association. The 
mutual benefit or insurance feature, com- 
mon with most of the secret societies, is 
not assumed by Freemasons in general, but 



51 



MAS— MEC 



the Masonic Mutual Relief Associations sup- 
ply the deficiency. These are of compara- 
tively recent origin. The Masonic Mutual 
Relief Association of Central Massachu- 
setts was established in 1873, and has some 
2300 members. The Dictionary is indebt- 
ed to Messrs. William A. Smith and Daniel 
Seagrave for suggestions and corrections 
embodied in the above article. 

Mastodon Discovery. — On the 17th of 
November, 1884, the quidnuncs of Worces- 
ter were much excited by the announcement 
that the remains of a great beast had been 
discovered in a peat meadow in 
Northborough, just over the Shrews- 
bury line, and several members of 
the Natural History and Antiquity societies 
were early on the ground. Workmen, in 
digging a trench, had unearthed several 
large teeth and other remains, and these 
were identified as belonging to the Masto- 
don americanus. This was the first au- 
thentic discovery of remains of the true 
Mastodon in New England. The teeth are 
now in the museum of the Natural History 
Society— the gift of Stephen Salisbury, 
Esq., — and are fine specimens. The follow- 
ing year an attempt was made to recover 
the whole skeleton, but it too was much 
decayed. The search, however, was re- 
warded by the discovery of a human skull 
imbedded in the peat, and bearing all the 
symptoms of intense antiquity. It was 
stated that a microscopic examination re- 
vealed the fact that the vegetable fibrillce 
of the peat had thoroughly penetrated into 
all the minute interstices of the skull be- 
tween the plates; and from other evidences 
it was announced that the owner of the 
head-piece was unquestionably pre-Colum- 
bian, if not sooner, and that he had proba- 
bly perished in an encounter with the Mas- 
todon ! Notwithstanding all this and other 
corroborating circumstances, which for a 
time made Worcester the cynosure of 
scientific eyes, Prof. F. W. Putnam, of 
Cambridge, after a careful, thorough and 
exhaustive examination, declared in his 

fjrinted report that the skull had not been 
ong in the peat ! An account of the Mas- 
todon discovery was published in pamphlet 
form by the compiler of this Dictionary. 

It may not be generally known that the 
famous Newburg Mastodon of Dr. Warren 
of Boston, now in the Warren museum, 
was exhibited in Worcester in 1846, and 
that Dr. Warren's agent purchased it here, 
and took it to Boston. It was from this fine 
skeleton that the doctor mainly obtained 
his measurements and facts for his elabor- 
ate monograph on the Mastodon giganteus, 
in quarto, with profuse illustrations, a copy 
of which was presented to the Free 
Public Library of Worcester by the family 
of Dr. Warren, j -J| ,^J| 



Mayors.— Following is a list of Mayors 
of Worcester from 1848, the time of its in- 
corporation as a city; the municipal year 
for the first three years began and ended 
in April : 

Levi Lincoln, 1848-49. Citizen. 

Henry Chapin, 1819-50. Free Soil. 

Peter C. Bacon, 1851-52. Free Soil. 

John S. C. Knowlton, 1853-54. Coalition. 

George W. Richardson, 1855, 1857. Know 
Nothing. 

Isaac Davis, 1856, 1858, 1861. Citizen. 

Alexander H. Bullock, 1859. Citizen. 

William W. Rice, 1860. Republican. 

P. Emory Aldrich, 1862. Republican. 

D. Waldo Lincoln, 1863-64. Citizen. 

Phinehas Ball, 1865. Republican. 

James B. Blake, 1866-67-68-69-70. Repub- 
lican. 

Edward Earle, 1871. Republican. 

George F. Verry, 1872. Citizen. 

Clark Jillson, 1873, 1875-76. Republican. 

Edward L. Davis, 1874. Citizen. 

Charles B. Pratt, 1877-78-79. Citizen. 

Frank H. Kelley, 1880-81. Citizen. 

Elijah B. Stoddard, 1882. Citizen. 

Samuel E. Hildreth, 1883. Republican. 

Charles G. Reed, 1884-85. Citizen. 

Samuel Winslow, 1886-87-88-89. Repub- 
lican. 

Mechanics' Association, (Worcester 
County). — The Worcester Mechanics'' As- 
sociation was in being in 1826, but proba- 
bly did not long exist. The first action 
taken towards the formation of the present 
organization was at a meeting hell in No- 
vember, 1841, in the Town Hall, when a 
committee was chosen to consider the sub- 
ject of forming a Mechanics 1 Association. 
The first formal meeting was held Feb- 
ruary 5, 1842, and the following officers 
elected: President. William A. Wheeler; 
Vice-President, Ichabod Washburn; Secre- 
tary, Albert Tolman; Treasurer, Elbridge 
G. Partridge. Others prominent in the 
movement were Anthony Chase, Putman 
W. Taft, William Leggate, Henry W. Mil- 
ler, William M. Bickford, Levi A. Dowley, 
Rufus D. Dunbar, John P. Kettell, James 
S. Woodworth, Hiram Gorham, Joseph 
Pratt, Henry Goulding and Edward B. 
Rice. Efforts were at once made to estab- 
lish a library, and an annual course of lec- 
tures was provided for. The first lecture 
before the Association was delivered Feb- 
ruary 21, 1842, by Elihu Burritt. Another 
matter contemplated was the holding of 
an annual fair or exhibition, but it was not 
until September, 1848, that the first one 
was held, and others followed in 1849, 1851, 
1857 and 1866. The Association was incor- 
porated March 9, 1850, with power to hold 
real estate to the amount of $75,000, and 
personal property to the amount of $25,000. 
Later these amounts were changed to 



MEC— MED 



52 



$200,000 and $50,000 respectively. In 1854 
Ichabod Washburn gave $10,000 towards 
the purchase of land and the erection of a 
hall, on condition that the society should 
raise a like sum, which was accomplished. 
The gift of Dea. Washburn was first in- 
vested in the lot of land in the rear of the 
Bay State House, now occupied by the 
Theatre. This lot was afterwards sold, and 
the money used in the purchase of the 
Main street land. The Association issued 
its bonds for $50,000 payable at different 
times, from five to ten years, and secured 
by a mortgage upon their property. 
$43,810 of these were taken and paid for by 
members of the society. The Waldo lot on 
Main street was purchased for $30,000, the 
cornerstone of the building laid Sept. 3,1855, 
and the edifice completed and dedicated 
March 19, 1857. (See next article.) The 
total cost was $140,129.51. This sum was pro- 
vided for as follows: Received from bonds, 
$49,960; donations, $28,320.38; first mort- 
gage, $30,000: third mortgage, $25,000; 
total, $133,280.38. This, it will be seen, left 
a balance of $6,849.19 still unpaid in the 
form of a floating debt, and a real debt of 
$104,960. The general financial troubles of 
1857 followed, and the Association found 
itself unable to meet its obligations. The 
holders of the third mortgage took legal 
possession of the property. In 1858 an 
effort was made to reduce the debt to $50,- 
000, and to do this required the cancelling 
of $54,960. Hon. Stephen Salisbury gave 
$7000, on condition that the debt was re- 
duced to $50,000; Ichabod Washburn made 
another gift of $10,000; and the holders of 
the bonds accepted forty per cent, of their 
value in cash. The holders of the third 
mortgage of $25,000, and of notes of $6,849, 
discharged their claims for $15,000. This 
was a voluntary and friendly arrangement 
made by the friends of the Association to 
save its property, though it bore hard 
upon some who gave more than they could 
afford. The debt of $50,000 left by this 
compromise has gradually been reduced to 
$7,000 at the present time (October, 1889.) 

The annual courses of lectures have been 
kept up from the first, and the library now 
contains nearly 10,000 volumes. A reading 
room for the use of members is maintained, 
with daily and other papers, and the prin- 
cipal periodicals. In 1864 some 200 citizens 
of Worcester contributed $9000 to purchase 
the fine organ in the hall. In 1864 an Ap- 
prentices 1 Drawing School was established, 
and a Summer School for boys at the Poly- 
technic Institute was opened in 1887. The 
officers of the Association for the present 
year are Robert H. Chamberlain, President; 
Ellery B. Crane, Vice-President; William 
A. Smith, Secretary and Treasurer. 

Mechanics' Hall.— The largest and fin- 



est public hall in the city, located in the 
building erected by the Mechanics' Asso- 
ciation at 321 Main street. The hall is gen- 
erally used for lectures, entertainments, 
concerts, etc., and has a seating capacity 
of 1926. The yearly festivals of the Wor- 
cester County Musical Association are held 
here, and in the past many political con- 
ventions have met in the hall. The walls 
are adorned with many fine portraits, (See 
Portraits) and the great organ in front of 
the audience gives a good effect to the in- 
terior. On the floor below the main hall are 
Washburn Hall, and the Reading-Room, 
Library, and offices of the Association. 
The ground floor is occupied for stores. 
The facade of the building, of classic cast, 
is noble and imposing, and is best viewed 
in coming down Walnut street. Elbridge 
Boyden was the architect. See previous 
article. 



Mechanics' Exchange. - 

Exchange. 



-See Builders'" 



Medical College.— The Worcester Med- 
ical Institution was incorporated in 1849, 
and went into operation the following year. 
Its founder, Dr. Calvin Newton, was for 
some years previous a practitioner in Wor- 
cester in that school of medicine called 
the Botanic or Eclectic, a modification of 
the early Thompsonian system. He insti- 
tuted a medical school here previous to 
the opening of the college, with lectures 
given in Waldo Block. The college build- 
ing was erected on the summit of Union 
Hill, John F. Pond, a large real-estate oper- 
ator in that region, giving the land. This 
building is now the main structure on the 
Worcester Academy grounds. After the 
medical college failed a female college was 
established there, and later the property 
was used by the Government as a military 
hospital (see Dale Hospital; Worcester 
Academy.) The Medical College prospered 
for a time, and quite a number of Eclectic 
physicians were graduated ; but after the 
death of Dr. Newton, in 1853, its prosperity 
declined, and within a few years the insti- 
tution ceased to exist. 

Medical Examiner. — The functions and 
duties formerly belonging to coroners are 
now performed by " Medical Examiners." 
J. Marcus Rice, who was a coroner here 
before the law was changed, is the Medical 
Examiner for Worcester. His office is at 
33 Pleasant street. 

Medical Libraries.— The library of the 
Worcester District Medical Society is de- 
posited in the Free Public Library building, 
occupying a room there rent free, the con- 
sideration being that the books may be 



53 



MED— MIL 



used in the building by anyone entitled to 
the use of the Public Library. This library 
now contains about 6,000 volumes, gath- 
ered since 1820. There is a fund of $7,500, 
the interest of which is applied for the 
purpose of increasing the number of books. 
There is a Homoepathic Medical Library 
at the rooms of the Homoepathic Medical 
Society in Crompton's Block on Mechanic 
street. It comprises about 1,000 volumes. 

Medical Societies. — The Medical Soci- 
ety of the County of Worcester was in ex- 
istence as early as 1784, and notices of the 
meetings frequently appear in the Spy. 
The Worcester District Medical Society 
formed in 1804, auxiliary to the Massachu- 
setts Medical Society, is still active, and 
has a valuable library {see previous arti- 
cle.) The Worcester Medical Association, 
formed in 1886, supplements the work of 
the District Society. 

The Worcester County Homoepathic 
Medical Society was organized in 1886. Its 
library and dispensary are located in 
Oompton's Block, Mechanic street. 

Memorial Hospital. — The Washburn 
Memorial Hospital was incorporated in 
April, 1871, and was opened in June, 1888, 
at the Samuel Davis place on Belmont 
street, the premises having been purchased 
for the purpose. This hospital, which is for 
the treatment of women and children only, 
was established through the beneficence of 
the late Ichabod Washburn. Eighteen 
patients can be accommodated. Miss F. F. 
Rice is superintendent, and there is a visit- 
ing: staff of six physicians. 

The Washburn Free Dispensary, formerly 
at 11 Trumbull street, is now located at the 
Memorial Hospital. 

Merrifield Buildings. — The three-story 
brick structure occupying the square be- 
tween Union and Cypress streets, and Ex- 
change and North Foster streets, erected 
and owned by William T. Merrifield. These 
buildings are used entirely for mechanical 
purposes. This spot was "the scene of the 
great fire of June, 1854, (see Fires) when 
the buildings that formerly stood there were 
totally destroyed, with much other prop- 
erty. The old structure was four stories in 
height. 

Messinger Hill.— See Fairmount. 

Messenger, (The). — Established in Jan- 
uary, 1887, by Jas. J. Doyle as an eight- 
page monthly; enlarged January, 1888, to 
a six-column weekly. Published at 154 
Front street. Represents the Catholic in- 
terests of the Diocese of Springfield, cover- 
ing: the central and western portions of 
Massachusetts. 



Methodist Churches. — There are nine 
Methodist-Episcopal churches in Worces- 
ter, including two African. The list is as 
follows : 

Trinity, 650 Main street, formed 1834. 

Laurel Street, Laurel Hill, formed 1845. 

Webster Square, New Worcester, formed 
1860. 

Grace Free Church, Walnut street, formed 
1867. 

Coral Street, Coral street, formed 1872. 

First Stvedish, Quinsigamond Village, 
formed 1879. 

Second Swedish, 59 Thomas street, formed 
1885. 

Zion {African), 86 Exchange street, 
formed 1846. 

Bethel {African), 302 Main street, formed 
1867. 

Some of these are noticed under their 
titles in the Dictionary. 

Middle River. — The stream, formed by 
the united waters of Ramshorn, Lynde, 
Kettle, Beaver and Tatnuck brooks, which 
flows generally east from New Worcester 
to Quinsigamond Village, where it joins 
Millbrook to form the Blackstone river. In 
the old records Middle river was called 
Half-way river. 

Military History. — During the Indian 
troubles of 1722, Worcester furnished five 
men to the company of scouts under Major 
John Chandler. In 1723 seven of the inhab- 
itants enlisted as soldiers and served dur- 
ing the winter. August 3, 1724, Uriah Ward 
of Worcester, in service at Rutland, was 
killed by Indians. The town contributed 
liberally to the defence of the province 
during the wars with the French, and ex- 
pended its means freely for the reduction 
of the fortresses of Nova Scotia and Can- 
ada. Benjamin Gleason of Worcester, died 
before the walls of Louisburg in 1745, and 
Adonijah Rice, the first born of our native 
citizens, was in a company of rangers in 
the siege. In 1746 Fort Massachusetts at 
Williamstown was defended by a garrison 
partly of Worcester men. In 1748, a com- 
pany of fifty-three, all from this town, fol- 
lowed the Indians for seventeen days, but 
returned without engaging in battle. Seven- 
teen Worcester men were in service in 
Nova Scotia, and seventeen more at Fort 
Cumberland. John Walker was commis- 
sioned a captain. Adonijah Rice and 
another were in the expedition against 
Crown Point in August. In September 
there were fourteen volunteers from Wor- 
cester. Many were in the ranks of the 
army that acted against Crown Point in 
1756; and in the two succeeding years sev- 
eral were captured, and a number died of 
wounds or disease at Lake George. After 
the surrender of Fort William Henry the 



MIL— 



54 



whole militia of the town marched to Shef- 
field, 105 miles distant, but the enemy hav- 
ing retired, the forces were disbanded. A 
company of Worcester men, under Capt. 
Samuel Clark Paine, was with General 
Amherst in 1758, and continued in service 
till the peace of 1763. Worcester furnished 
to the provincial service during the French 
Wars 1 colonel, 1 lieut-colonel, 2 majors, 6 
captains, 8 lieutenants, 7 ensigns, 27 ser- 
geants, 2 surgeons, 1 chaplain and 1 adju- 
tant. From 1748 to 1762 there were 453 men 
from the town, not including those who en- 
listed in the regular army. The name 
of John Chandler, borne by three genera- 
tions, is prominent in the military annals 
of the town during this period, and 
the title of Colonel descended from 
father to son and grandson. The above 
facts are from William Lincoln's History of 
Worcester. 

In the American Revolution Worces- 
ter was foremost in contributing men 
and means to the cause. Lincoln says: 
" Worcester furnished a large proportion 
of her male population to the army. The 
exact number in service cannot be ascer- 
tained with certainty. If we include with 
the troops of the regular line those called out 
for short periods of duty, the following may 
be considered as a correct statement of the 
numbers of men from Worcester in military 
service during seven years of war: 1 
colonel, 2 lieut-colonels, 2 majors, 7 cap- 
tains, 10 lieutenants, 5 ensigns, 20 sergeants 
and 389 privates." The name of Col. Timo- 
thy Bigelow will ever be illustrious in mili- 
tary annals. A history in detail of the 
revolutionary acts of the town will be 
found in Albert A. Lovell's Worcester in 
the Revolution. In Shays's Rebellion Wor- 
cester men were found on both sides. In 
1807, when it w T as apprehended that hostili- 
ties with England would immediately 
ensue, the Worcester Light Infantry ten- 
dered their services in defence of the coun- 
try. Adam Walker, a son of John Walker 
of Worcester, enlisted in the regular army, 
was in the battle of Tippecanoe, and was 
struck by bullets several times. In later 
service he was with Hull's army at Detroit, 
included in the surrender and sent to Hali- 
fax. After his exchange he wrote a book re- 
flecting severely on Gen. Hull. This volume 
is rare and commands a large price. Copies 
are in the libraries of the American Anti- 
quarian Society and the Worcester Society 
of Antiquity. The war of 1812 was not 
popular in this vicinity, and not a large 
number of Worcester men were in service. 
Sabin Mann, oldest son of Joseph Mann of 
Worcester, was killed at Queenstown in 
1812. The Light Infantry and the Artillery 
Company marched to the defence of the 
coast on the threatened British attack in 
September, 1814, and remained in camp 



near Boston several weeks. In this war 
Massachusetts furnished 3110 men. Thomas 
Gardner Mower, Surgeon-General of the 
United States Army at a later period, was 
a native of Worcester. 

The Mexican war did not find much favor 
in the eyes of New England people. Pol- 
lard, a Southern authority, states that of 
66,684 men engaged, the South furnished 
43,630. Of the New England States only 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire con- 
tributed, the former sending 1,047 and the 
latter 1. The same writer claims that of the 
155.364 soldiers in the war of 1812, the South 
furnished 96,812. and the North 58,552. New 
England sent 5,162 and South Carolina 
5,696. In the Mexican war Capt. George 
Lincoln, a son of Gov. Lincoln, was killed 
at Buena "Vista, Feb. 23, 1847; and Lieut. 
John Green Burba nk, another Worcester 
man, fell at Molino del Rey, Sept. 8, 1847. 

When the first gun of the Rebellion w T as 
fired at Fort Sumter, Worcester was ready, 
and on the 17th of April, 1861, the Light 
Infantry departed for Washington. This 
company belonged to the ill-fated Sixth 
Regiment, but was with the detachment 
that passed safely through Baltimore at 
the time of the massacre, and passed di- 
rectly to the Capital. The Light Infantry's 
term of service was mostly spent in Mary- 
land, and the company arrived home on the 
1st of August. On the 20th of April the 
Third Battalion of Rifles, made up of the 
City Guards, the Emmet Guards, and the 
Holden Rifles, under command of Major 
Charles Devens, followed the Light In- 
fantry. The Battalion was on duty about 
Baltimore most of the time until it returned 
on the 2d of August. On the 28th of June, 
Camp Scott, at South Worcester, was oc- 
cupied by the Fifteenth Regiment, the first 
Worcester County regiment, with Charles 
Devens as Colonel. This regiment partici- 
pated in the disastrous battle of Ball's 
Bluff, and also in the battles of Fair Oaks, 
Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and 
others. It arrived home July 21, 1864, with 
its numbers reduced to 150 men. The 
Twenty-first went into camp on the 19th of 
July. The Agricultural or Fair Grounds 
were occupied, and the name Camp Lin- 
coln was given in honor of ex-Governor 
Levi Lincoln. The regiment departed for 
the seat of war August 23d, embarked for 
North Carolina on the Burn side expedition, 
and took part in the battles of Roanoke 
and New Berne. The next spring it was sent 
to Virginia, and was in the battles of second 
Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, An- 
tietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness and 
others. It was mustered out August 30, 
1864. The Twenty-fifth Regiment left Wor- 
cester October 31. It formed a part of the 
forces of the Burn side expedition, was at 
Roanoke and New Berne, and remained in 



55 



-MIL 



North Carolina till the fall of 1863. The 
next spring and summer the regiment saw 
hard service, passed through Drewry's 
Bluff, Cold Harbor, and other battles, and 
spent the last months before Petersburg. 
It arrived home, (excepting a portion that 
had re-enlisted the winter before), October 
13, 1864. The Thirty-fourth departed on 
the 15th of August, 1862, and was in service 
till July 6, 1865. It took part in the battles 
of New Market, Cedar Creek, Piedmont, 
Lynchburg, Winchester, and others. The 
Thirty-sixth Regiment followed the last 
September 2d, 1862, and returned June 21, 
1865. It passed through Fredericksburg, 
the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court 
House, and other battles, performed much 
hard service, and made many long 
marches. The Fifty -first Regiment, which 
enlisted for nine months, left November 
25th, 1862, and returned July 21, 1863. Most 
of its service was in North Carolina. On 
the 18th of April, 1864, the Fifty-seventh 
Regiment, the last of the Worcester County 
organizations, proceeded to the scene of 
conflict. This regiment was in the battle 
of the Wilderness and numerous minor en- 
counters, and spent the summer before 
Petersburg. It was mustered out in August, 
1865. In the list of Worcester's martyrs 
the names of John William Grout, who 
was killed at Ball's Bluff, Gen. George H. 
Ward, who fell at Gettysburg, and for 
whom the local Grand Army post was 
named, Thomas J. Spurr, S. F. Haven, Jr., 
Dexter F. Parker, Rev. Samuel Souther, 
the Wellingtons, the Bacons, Thomas 
O'Neil and Henry McConville are promi- 
nent. Of those who gained distinction in 
the conflict, Charles Devens, Josiah Pickett, 
A. B. R. Sprague and William S. Lincoln 
are well-known names. Worcester sent 
3,927 men to the war, at a total direct 
money cost of $586,054. Of this amount 
$245,653 was paid for bounties and expense 
of recruiting: $93,650 commutation and sub- 
stitutes; and $246,751 State aid to families. 
Rev. Abijah P. Marvin's Worcester in the 
War of the Rebellion is an interesting and 
valuable book, giving a very full account 
of Worcester's part in sustaining the Union. 
Some hasty and unjust criticism followed 
its publication in consequence of certain 
errors made at the Adjutant General's of- 
fice, for which the author was not responsi- 
ble. These errors are mostly corrected in 
the last edition. Histories of the Twenty- 
first, Twenty-fifth, Thirty-fourth and 
Thirty-sixth Regiments have been printed. 
The Story of Company A, Twenty-fifth 
Regiment, has been much commended as 
a true picture of the daily life of a soldier. 
The history of the fighting Fifteenth re- 
mains to be written, and it is a matter of 
regret that Gen. Devens cannot undertake 
the task. 



Of Worcester military companies, past 
and present, the City Guards, Continentals, 
Emmet Guards, Light Infantry, and State 
Guards are noticed under their titles in the 
Dictionary. The Worcester Artillery Com- 
pany was an active organization here from 
1783 to 1838. The Independent Cadets, 
formed during the threatened war with 
France in 1798, disbanded soon after. The 
Worcester Cavalry was in existence for 
some twenty years, certainly from 1813 to 
1826. The white silk flag of this company 
is now jn the possession of Albert A. Lovell, 
and has the State arms and the mottoes: 
" God armeth the Patriot," and " For God 
and Our Country," on one side; and " Wor- 
cester Cavalry, 1st Brigade, Sixth Division" 
on the other. The Worcester Rifle Corps, 
established in 1823, was disbanded in 1835. 
The Jackson Guards was an Irish company 
suppressed by Gov. Gardner, in Know- 
Nothing times. 

Militia Companies. — There are four 
militia companies belonging to Worcester, 
three infantry and one artillery, namely: 
Co. A, (Worcester City Guards), and Co. C, 
(Worcester Light Infantry), of the Second 
Regiment; and Co. G, (Emmet Guards), of 
the Ninth Regiment. Battery B, Light 
Artillery, is unattached. See in the Dic- 
tionary, Emmet Guards; City Guards; 
Light Infantry. 

Mill Brook.— This stream rises in Holden 
and flows generally south until it unites at 
South Worcester with Middle river to form 
the Blackstone. The first saw and grist 
mills in the town were erected on this 
stream above Lincoln square, and gave it 
the name of Mill Brook. 

Mill bury.— So named from the numer- 
ous mills which it contains, was taken from 
the north part of Sutton and incorporated 
June 11, 1813. It is situated six miles south 
of Worcester, on the Providence & Worces- 
ter railroad. A branch railroad also con- 
nects at Millbury junction with the Boston 
& Albany railroad. Population in 1885, 
4,555. 

Millstone Hill.— The eminence north of 
Belmont street and Bell Pond, from which 
much of the foundation stone used in Wor- 
cester is obtained. Quarries have been 
worked here from early time, and of late 
years extensively. Aug. 27, 1733, the Pro- 
prietors voted "that 100 acres of the 
highest land on millstone be left common 
for the use of the town for building stones." 
In 1763 it appears that the land in question 
had been sold through mistake to Daniel 
Heywood, and sometime after it was re- 
covered in course of law, and in 1770 he 
was given a sum of money to quiet his 



MIN— MIS 



56 



claim. In later times, however, private 
parties assumed ownership and were sus- 
tained by the courts, for in 1824, in the case 
of William E. Green vs. town of Worcester, 
it was decided that the town had no right 
in the property other than to take building 
stone. The top of the hill is 780 feet above 
tide level. 

Minerals.— Dana gives the list of miner- 
als found in Worcester as follows: Mis- 
pickel, (arsenical iron) , idocrase, pyroxene, 
garnet, amianthus, bucholzite, spathic 
iron, galena. Mr. W. H. Lovell, who com- 
piled a list of minerals in Worcester county 
for the Natural History Society, found the 
following : Calcite, graphite, vesuvianite 
(idocrase). At the Coal Mine : Graphite, 
anthracite, pyrite, asbestos, fibrolite 
(bucholzite). Northville Silver mine: Pyrite, 
arsenopyrite, siderite, galena. Tatnuck 
Hill: Pyrite, pyrrhotite. Millstone Hill: 
Fluorite in granite. South Ledge, (near 
Quinsigamond Village): Feldspar, mica, 
(biotite), talc (soapstone). Also granite for 
building, and peat. 

Ministers.— The ministry of Worcester 
includes few distinguished names. Of the 
older churches, a list of the ministers of 
the First or Old South Church will be 
found under the title in the Dictionary. 
The Second (Unitarian-Congregational) 
has had but four pastors since its form- 
ation in 1785, namely: Aaron Bancroft to 
1839; Alonzo Hill, 1827 to 1871; Edward H. 
Hall, 1869 to 1882; and Austin S. Garver, 
1882 to the present time. The Calvinist 
Church (now the Central) was organized in 
1820, and Loammi Ives Hoadley was the 
first pastor, ordained in 1823. His succes- 
sors have been John S. C. Abbott, 1830 to 
1835; David Peabody, 1835 to 1838; Seth 
Sweetser, 1838 to 1878; Henry E. Barnes, 
(colleague) 1874 to 1876; Daniel Merriman, 
1878 to the present. The Union Church, 
formed in 1836, has had the following pas- 
tors: Jonathan E. Woodbridge to 1838; 
Elam Smalley, (author of The Worcester 
Pulpit), 1838 to 1854; Ebenezer Cutler 1855 
to 1878; Henrv A. Stimson, 1880 to 1885; 
William V. W. Davis, 1887. The Salem 
Street Church was formed in 1848. George 
Bushnell was the first pastor to 1857, and 
his successors have been Merrill Richard- 
son to 1871; Charles M. Lamson to 1886; 
and Isaac J. Lansing. Plymouth Church 
was formed in 1869. George W. Phillips 
was pastor to 1887, and was succeeded by 
Charles Wadsworth, Jr. Piedmont Church, 
organized in 1872, has had George H. 
Gould and David O. Mears as ministers, the 
latter since 1877. The second Unitarian 
Church, or Church of the Unity, was 
formed in 1845. Edward Everett Hale was 
pastor ten years, and his successors have 



been Rush R. Shippen, 1856 to 1871; Henry 
Blanchard, 1872 to 1881; Roland A. Wood, 
1881 to 1884; and Calvin Stebbins. Rev. 
George Allen, a native and long a resident 
of Worcester, was noted as a scholar and 
an authority in Congregational matters. 
He preached many years at the Hospital. 
His library is now in the possession of the 
Worcester Society of Antiquity. {See 
Allen Library.) The first regularly settled 
Baptist minister in Worcester was William 
Bentley, from 1812 to 1815, and he was fol- 
lowed by Jonathan Going, 1815 to 1831; 
Frederic A. Willard, 1832 to 1835; Jonathan 
Aldrich, 1835 to 1838; Samuel B. Swaim, 
1839 to 1854; J. D. E. Jones, 1855 to 1859; 
Rev. Lemuel Moss, H. K. Pervear, B. D. 
Marshall and George G. Craft have suc- 
ceeded the latter. The Second Baptist 
Church was organized in 1841, and John 
Jennings was the first pastor. The Third 
Baptist Church was formed in 1853. H. L. 
Wayland was first installed. The first 
Methodist minister of Worcester was 
Joseph A. Merrill in 1833. Other early 
ministers of this denomination were George 
Pickering, John T. Burrill, James Porter 
and Charles K. True. The Second (Laurel 
street) Methodist Church was organized in 
1845, and Richard S. Rust was the first 
minister. The first pastor of Grace M. E. 
Church was J. O. Peck in 1867. The First 
Universalist Church was organized in 1843. 
The ministers have been S. P. Landers, Al- 
bert Case, O. H. Tillotson, John G. Adams, 
L. M. Burrington, Thomas E. St. John, 
B. F. Bowles and Moses H. Harris. Epis- 
copal worship was established in Worces- 
ter in 1835 by Rev. Thomas H. Vail. All 
Saints' Church was formed in 1843. The 
rectors have been Henry Blackaller, George 
T. Chapman, G. H. Clarke, Justin Field, 
Nathaniel T. Bent, A. M. Morrison, William 
R. Huntington, (now rector of Grace 
Church, New York), 1862-1883, and A. H. 
Vinton. Rev. James Fitton was the first 
Roman Catholic clergyman of Worcester, 
and worship was established here in 1834. 
Matthew W. Gibson and John Boyce were 
other priests here in early days. At pres- 
ent John J. Power, Thomas J. Conaty and 
Thomas Griffin are clergymen of more 
than local reputation. 

Missions.— The following Missions are 
established in Worcester: 

Baptist Missions.— French Baptist, 554 
Main street. Instituted in 1881, and sus- 
tained by the Home Baptist Society of New 
York City and the Baptists of Worcester. 
Clover street, at Jamesville, organized in 
1884. Quinsigamond, at Quinsigamond 
Village, organized in 1885. Canterbury 
street, at South Worcester .organized in 1885. 
Greendale, organized 1884. Adams Square, 
organized 1886. Jamesville, organized 1887. 



57 



MON— MUS 



Methodist. — Pleasant street, 225 Pleas- 
ant street, organized 1885. 

Orthodox. — Summit, organized 1884. 
Northville Library Association Mission, 
at Barber's Crossing. 

Unitarian. — The Freeland Street Mis- 
sion was established in 1888, and meets in 
the school-house. 

New Jerusalem, founded in 1888, and 
meets in Walker Building. 

Romam Catholics. — St. Anne's, Grand 
street, organized in 1886, and St. Joseph's, 
Norfolk street, 1887. 

Valley Falls, — Leicester street, organ- 
ized 1869. 

Independent. — Adams Square and Aus- 
tin street (118 Austin street) were estab- 
lished in 1883. The Lincoln Square Mis- 
sion, founded in 1885, holds meetings at 
No. 3 Summer street. 

Union Holiness Association meets at 492 
Main street. See under City Missionary. 

Monuments. — See Bigelow Monument; 
Soldiers' 1 Monument. 

Museums. — See under American Anti- 
quarian Society; Natural History Society; 
Worcester Society of Antiquity. 

Musical Association, (Worcester 
County). — The Dictionary is indebted to 
the Historical Sketch of the Worcester 
County Musical Association by Samuel E. 
Staples, for many of the facts that follow 
relating to that organization: 

The first of the series of Musical Conven- 
tions, which preceded the formation of the 
Worcester County Musical Association, was 
held in September, 1858, under the manage- 
ment of Edward Hamilton, assisted by B. 
F. Baker of Boston. These conventions 
were held annually, either by private enter- 
prise or under the auspices of the Mozart 
Society until 1863. In consequence of some 
opposition to Mr. E. H. Frost as musical 
■conductor in the Mozart Society, his sup- 
porters took action which led to the forma- 
tion of the Worcester County Musical As- 
sociation. Mr. James D. Moore is credited 
with having suggested the new organiza- 
tion, and he called a Musical Convention to 
be held in Mechanics Hall in September, 
1863, under direction of E. H. Frost, while 
another convention was announced to be 
held the same week in the City Hall under 
the direction of B. F. Baker. These rival 
conventions represented two factions 
which had divided the musical people of 
Worcester for several years, those support- 
ting Mr. Baker being opposed to the Lowell 
Mason school. But Mr. Frost and his 
friends were too strong for their oppo- 
nents, and the assembly at Mechanics Hall 
adopted the name of the "Worcester 
County Musical Convention." An organ- 



ization was effected Oct. 2, 1863, with 
Samuel E. Staples as President, William S. 
Denny, Secretary and Treasurer, and 
James D. Moore, Librarian. This society 
became in 1871, by change of name, the 
Worcester County Musical Association, 
and the annual conventions have been 
known since that time as Musical or Music 
Festivals. Mr. Staples was president of 
the Association ten years, and was suc- 
ceeded by Hon. William R. Hill of Wilkin- 
sonville. Mr. Hill died in 1887, and Hon. 
Edward L. Davis was elected President, 
and now holds the office. The other officers 
at present are William Sumner, Vice-Presi- 
dent; B. D. Allen, C. M. Bent, J. Q. Adams, 
Daniel Downey, L. M. Lovell, B. L. M. 
Smith, C. I. Rice, C. C. Stearns, Directors; 
A. C. Munroe, Secretary; J. E. Benchley, 
Treasurer; and G. W. Elkins, Librarian. 
The annual festival is held the last week in 
September, and continues five days. Carl 
Zerrahn has been conductor for many 
years, and has trained the chorus of five 
hundred voices to a good degree of excel- 
lence. Eight grand concerts and seven 
public rehearsals are given, and the pro- 
gramme generally includes one of the great 
oratorios. Distinguished soloists are en- 
gaged each year. The Festival has become 
the great, and indeed the only society event 
of the year in Worcester; there is an eager 
demand for seats, and the prices paid for 
premiums aggregate a large sum. The 
Festival draws visitors from all parts of the 
country, and largely from the county; it is 
therefore not entirely a Worcester City 
institution. 

Music Hall.— The Worcester Fruit Pre- 
serving Company was organized under a 
charter from the Legislature in 1867, with 
a capital of $50,000, for the purpose of 
erecting and carrying on an extensive 
fruit-keeping house under Prof. Nyce's 
patent. The officers were: President, 
Benj. Walker; Clerk, Elijah B. Stoddard; 
Treasurer, Harrison Bliss ; Superintendent, 
John S. Ballard. The building, which was 
erected on Exchange street back of the 
Bay State House, was on the plan of a huge 
refrigerator, in which the various kinds of 
fruit, foreign and domestic, as well as 
eggs, vegetables, etc., were to be stored 
and kept fresh indefinitely. The enterprise 
did not prove a success, and the following 
year the Music Hall Association was formed 
for the purpose of utilizing the property in 
the erection of a theatre. The land on 
which the building stood had been deeded 
to the Fruit Preserving Co., by the Bay 
State House proprietors April 29, 1867, for 
$8,195, and this having fallen into the 
hands of Benj. W. Thayer of Boston, was 
deeded by him to the Music Hall corpora- 
tion May 7, 1868. The latter had been 



MUS- 



58 



incorporated April 14, 1868, and was com- 
posed of the following gentlemen: Harri- 
son Bliss, E. B. Stoddard, Francis H. Kin- 
nicutt, Edward L. Davis, Stephen Salis- 
bury, Jr., Samuel Woodward, David S. 
Messinger, Wm. H. Goulding, Benj. 
Walker, Orlando Tompkins of Boston, and 
Chas. B. Pratt. The fruit building, which 
was in the rear of the lot, was extended by 
an addition in front, the new part costing 
$18,950, and the whole transformed into a 
theatre, called at first Music Hall, but of 
late years known as the Worcester Thea- 
tre. It was leased March 1, 1869, for ten 
years to B. W. Thayer and Orlando Tomp- 
kins, at $5,000 per year for the whole 
building, which included two stores on the 
ground floor. A mortgage of $25,000 was 
placed on the property by the corporation, 
which organized with a capital stock of 
$26,800 divided into 268 shares. The thea- 
tre was opened on the evening of March 9, 
1869, by the Boston Theatre Co., with the 
play of the Lady of Lyons. After the first 
lease run out the proprietors and others 
managed the theatre for three or four 
years, and in 1883 the late Charles D. C.Wil- 
kinson assumed control under a six years 1 
lease at $3,750 yearly rent. His widow re- 
tained possession after his death till the 
destruction of the building by fire in May, 
1889. Previous to the fire a lease had been 
given to F. F. Proctor for five years from 
Sept. 1, 1889. The theatre is now being re- 
built. The capital stock of the Music Hall 
Company has recently been increased to 
$50,000. The corporation is now composed 
of A. George Bullock, President; William 
H. Morse, Treasurer; and E. B. Stoddard, 
Francis H. Dewey, Geo. Sumner, Stephen 
Salisbury, and H. M. Witter. See Theatres. 

Music in Worcester. — In 1784 Isaiah 
Thomas advertised that he had procured 
"a beautiful set of musical types from 
England, by which he was enabled to print 
church and other musick. 11 The " Worces- 
ter Collection of Sacred Harmony,'''' pub- 
lished In 1788, was probably printed from 
these types. In 1797 Mr. B. Glaan an- 
nounced himself as a teacher of the " Piano- 
Forte and Keyed Instruments," at Barker's 
Tavern in Worcester. Notices of singing 
schools and dancing schools appear early 
in the present century. In 1809 a Mr. Mallet 
gave "Harmony Concerts 11 at Healy's 
Hall, which was where the Burnside Build- 
ing now stands. A well-toned piano-forte 
was offered for sale in a notice in the Spy, 
and on the death of Hon. Francis Blake in 
1817, the one belonging to his family was 
publicly sold. John W. Lincoln opened a 
"■ School for Martial Music,' 1 in 1813, to in- 
struct musicians for service in the war. 
A Mr. Lewis was a teacher of vocal 
music in Worcester in 1819. About 



the year 1820 considerable interest 
was manifested in this locality and 
in different parts of the county in the sub- 
ject of music, and several societies were 
formed which were active for a number of 
years ; among these may be mentioned the 
Lockhart Union Society of Brookfield, the 
Templi Carmina Society of Sutton, the 
Beethoven Society of Millbury, and the 
Worcester Harmonic Society; the latter 
formed about the year 1825. In Sept., 1822, 
an oratorio was performed here by the 
Handel and Haydn Society of Boston; and 
at the dedication of the Calvinist (Central) 
Church in 1823, the Lockhart Union Society 
furnished the music, and gave an oratorio 
in the evening. A concert was given here 
March 5, 1823, by Miss Plimpton, the 
" Young Columbian Vocalist, 11 of Boston. 

Philip Brown, in a room over George A. 
Trumbull's book-store, advertised in 1823 
imported music and musical instruments. 
He was probably the first music dealer in 
Worcester. In 1831 Aaron Leland opened 
his " Music and Umbrella Store, 11 and in 
1839 Samuel Reeves Leland came to Wor- 
cester, also dealing in musical instruments 
and umbrellas. 

A novel musical entertainment was given 
here in 1828, with a combination of instru- 
ments, the siren, musical glasses, bagpipes, 
etc.; and in 1830 Mr. and Mrs. Papanti from 
Boston advertised a concert to take place 
June 17. In 1834 a concert of sacred music 
was given in Mr. Abbott's (Central) Meet- 
ing House by Messrs. N. Allen, Colburn, 
White, et al. of Boston. Ostinelli appeared 
here with Mr. Maeder in 1835. In 1836 the 
Calvinist Society advertised their bass viol 
for sale, " the church having procured an 
organ. 11 In 1837 Emory Perry and Alexan- 
der (Edward) Hamilton announced their 
" Juvenile and Adult Singing School. 11 In 
1839 piano-forte instruction was given by 
Miss Frances E. Pice and Miss S. Coll ; er. 
The same year there was a concert by the 
" Tyrolese Singers; 11 and the " Worcester 
Mozart Society, 11 E. Sanger, Secretary, is 
noticed. The latter probably was not main- 
tained long, for several years later, as will 
be seen below, another society of the same 
name was organized. A " Grand Musical 
Soiree by the St. Luke Family, 11 Italian 
Fantoccini, and the Nicholson Flute and 
Glee Club were the attractions in 1839-40. 
In 1843 there was a " Grand Musical Jubi- 
lee " in Worcester, to which the Worcester 
Brass Band invited all the bands in the 
vicinity. The same year the Hutchinson 
Family appeared here, and Ole Bull came 
for the first time July 1, 1844. His last ap- 
pearance here was on the 27th of April, 
1880, and his death occurred on the 18th or 
August of that year. The following are 
some of the celebrities who have appeared 
in Worcester during the last forty-five 



59 



MUS— NAT 



years: Leopold DeMeyer, Madame Anna 
Bishop, Rrignoli, Herz and Sivori, Julien, 
Parodi, Stigelli, Jenny Lind, Thalberg, 
D'Angri, Gottschalk, GiHmore, Parepa, 
Arbuckle, Blind Tom, Adelina and Carlotta 
Patti, Bulow, Carreno, Pappenheim, 
Thomas, Nilsson, Damrosch, Joseffy, 
Remenyi, Rubenstein, and Wilhelmj. 

The Worcester Sacred Music Society was 
formed in 1846, and in 1852 the Worcester 
Musical Association appeared, but did not 
long continue. A.N. Johnson, George F. 
Root, William Sumner and Edward S. 
Nason were prominent in this society, 
which must not be counfounded with the 
Worcester County Musical Association, 
founded ten years later. The Mozart Soci- 
ety, formed in 1850, was a more permanent 
organization, and continued with varying 
success and failure until it was united with 
the Beethoven Society. The latter insti- 
tuted in 1864 joined the Mozart in 1866 to 
form the Worcester Mozart and Beethoven 
Choral Union, which later became the 
Choral Union. (See title). The Shumann 
Club was in existence some ten years ago, 
and was similar in character to the 
present Gounod Club. The Orchestral 
Union is an active organization. (See the 
article on the Worcester County Musical 
Association). 

Of individuals who have contributed 
much to the advancement of music in Wor- 
cester in the past the names of Emory 
Perry, Rufus D. Dunbar, L. S. Rust, Ed- 
ward Hamilton, Samuel R. Leland and 
William Sumner are prominent. Mr. Perry 
was a teacher of music here for thirty 
years. He instituted the Worcester Har- 
monic Society, active for ten or twelve 
years after 1826. Mr. Hamilton possessed 
sound musical taste, and was a safe critic. 
He was also a composer of merit. Of 
prominent musicians who have resided or 
now reside in Worcester, only a few can be 
noticed in addition to those above named. 
Eugene Thayer, the present year (1889) 
deceased, who achieved such eminence as 
an organist, had his early training here, 
and went abroad from this city. Matthew 
Arbuckle came to Worcester in 1857, through 
the efforts of Isaac Fiske, whose band he 
conducted for three years; and while here 
his subsequent fame began to dawn. Ar- 
buckle was a Scotchman, and deserted from 
the British service in Canada, induced to 
this action by members of a band in Troy, 
N. Y., who were impressed with his power, 
which he himself did not suspect. After 
playing in Troy some time, he was found 
by Mr. Fiske who brought him to Worces- 
ter. C. C. Stearns, the well-known musical 
composer and teacher has for the past 
thirty years resided in Worcester. The 
lamented Henshaw Dana was also a resi- 
dent. Walter Kennedy, Ben. T. Hammond 



and E. N. Anderson are prominent as 
teachers of the voice. The useful work 
and long service of Mr. B. D. Allen entitle 
him to honorable mention. 

Of military bands information is meagre. 
About 1840 two bands were formed, one 
located at New Worcester, and the Harri- 
son excitement of that year afforded am- 
ple opportunity for the exercise of their 
abilities. David Perry and Marshall Tenney 
were well-known band masters of the pe- 
riod from 1840 to 1850. The most notable 
enterprise in this line was entered into in 
the formation of Fiske's Band in 1857, 
which was the means of bringing to Wor- 
cester such musicians as Arbuckle, Patz, 
Kendall, and others of note, for the spirit 
of rivalry excited by Mr. Fiske in securing 
the services of Arbuckle, caused extraordi- 
nary efforts on the part of the managers of 
Joslyn's or GoddarcTs Band, and competi- 
tion was lively between them. Under 
Arbuckle, Fiske 's Band attained a high de- 
gree of excellence in playing, and greatly 
astonished Gillmore when he visited Wor- 
cester with his famous Salem Band on 
their return from the Democratic National 
Convention at Charleston in 1860. The two 
bands paraded together, and Gillmore soon 
after obtained the services of Arbuckle for 
his own organization. Isaac Fiske, to 
whom belongs the credit of maintaining 
the organization for four or five years, was 
a manufacturer of band instruments in 
Worcester for a long period. (See Bands 
for present organizations). 

Mystic Brothers, (Independent Or- 
der of). — Viking Council, No. 8,was organ- 
ized in 1881, and is composed largely of 
Scandinavians. Meets at Integrity Hall, 
Pearl street. It is a mutual benefit order. 



Naturalization 

French Canadians. 



Clubs. — See under 



Natural History Park.— The tract of 
land near the north end and bordering on 
the shores of Lake Quinsigamond, owned 
by the Worcester Natural History Society. 
The Natural History Camp and Training 
School for boys is held here every summer. 
The park includes the summit and eastern 
slope of Wigwam Hill, and contains about 
40 acres. The money to purchase the land 
($5,000) was given by Hon. Joseph H. 
Walker, and Thomas H. Dodge, Esq., 
erected the pavilion known by his name. 
A well-equipped work-shop is one of the 
attractions of the camp, and Horace H. 
Bigelow largely contributed to the expense 
of this and other conveniences. See next 
article. 

Natural History Society, (The Wor- 
cester). — The Worcester Lyceum of 



NAT— 



60 



Natural History, formed in 1825, was in 
existence three or four years. Dr. John 
Green was president. Some of the speci- 
mens owned by this organization are now 
in the cabinet of the present society, which 
can trace its pedigree to the Worcester 
Lyceum formed in 1829, for the instruction 
and improvement of the citizens of Wor- 
cester. In August, 1852, the Young Men's 
Literary Association was incorporated for 
the purpose of affording intellectual and 
social advantages to the young men of the 
city, by maintaining a library and reading- 
room, and courses of lectures. Through 
the efforts of Rev. Edward Everett Hale, 
a natural history department was organ- 
ized in April, 1854. In 1855 the Young Mens 1 
JRhetorial Society united with the Library 
Association, and in 1856 the Worcester 
Lyceum joined fortunes with the others, 
the consolidation forming the Worcester 
Lyceum and Library Association. In 1859 
the books belonging to this society were 
given to the City as a nucleus of the circu- 
lating department of the Free Public 
Library, and the Natural History depart- 
ment was the only active branch left, the 
Rhetorial Society having withdrawn and 
re-organized by itself. Interest was kept 
up however, and the name of the Lyceum 
and Library Association assumed, and the 
work carried on so far as could be done 
with curtailed resourses and objects. The 
courses of popular lectures were still main- 
tained, and for some fifteen years received 
liberal patronage. When the City Library 
was removed from Bank building to Elm 
street, the society was accommodated with 
quarters in the basement for its natural his- 
tory cabinet. In 1866 the name was changed 
to the Worcester Lyceum and Natural His- 
tory Society, and March 6, 1884, altered to 
Worcester Natural History Society by 
legislative enactments. The society had 
after four or five years moved back to Fos- 
ter street, and taken possession of the 
upper story of the Bank building, where it 
still remains. The collections became very 
valuable as they increased, and among the 
acquisitions may be mentioned the John 
Milton Earle collection of shells, and a fine 
cabinet of minerals. The society also had 
at one time a good collection of Indian 
relics and other curiosities, but these have 
been scattered. Interest in the work was 
kept up in a tolerable degree until 1875, but 
for the next five years there was a notice- 
able falling off in attendance and enthusi- 
asm. Mr. Thomas A. Dickinson, who had 
succeeded Mr. James G. Arnold as 
superintendent of the Cabinet, exerted him- 
self in various ways to revive the old 
interest, and by his invitation Prof. Francis 
G.. Sanborn, afterwards in charge of the 
Cabinet, came to Worcester, and gave 
much assistance in the form of lectures and 



practical work and instruction. Mr. 
Nathaniel Paine, after many years valuable 
service as President, withdrew, and his 
successors were prevented by the pressure 
of other duties from giving the necessary 
attention, time and labor needed to revive 
the old spirit. In 1880 Dr. William H. Ray- 
menton was elected President, and began 
his vigorous administration, which has 
made the society a living force in the com- 
munity. He entered upon the work with 
much enthusiasm, which proved contagious 
to those about him. Under his direction 
free classes in the different branches of 
natural science were instituted, the cabi- 
net or museum opened daily to the public, 
and field and practice meetings held at 
short intervals. By these means the mem- 
bership of the society was largely increased, 
(1300 in 1888) and new life infused into every 
department. Finding that the develop- 
ment and success of his plans required 
money in large amounts than the mem- 
bership fees and other resources of the 
society afforded, he appealed to the wealthy 
and business men of the city, to aid him by 
contributions of money or otherwise, and 
the response was generous in a surprising 
degree. The first year (1880) $1,708.99 was 
received, and the sums given for each suc- 
ceeding year, as shown by the treasurer's 
books, appear as follows: 

YEAR. AMOUNT. 

1881 §2,239.88 

1882 2.383.62 

1883 2.587.21 

1884 4,250.48 

1885 5,152.78 

1886 5.091.03 

1887 ■ 6,788.89 

1888 12,204.16 

In addition to the above, gifts for special 
purposes have been received, which swell 
the aggregate sum raised for the society 
by Dr. Raymenton previous to his retire- 
ment from the presidency in 1889, to $55,000, 
the last gift being $3,000 to settle some 
obligations of the year before. The princi- 
pal benefactors of the society during the 
Doctor's administration have been Hon. 
Stephen Salisbury, Hon. Joseph H. Walker, 
Stephen Salisbury, Esq., and Thomas H. 
Dodge, Esq. Three years' subscriptions 
were instituted, a certain sum being 
pledged each year for three years; and 
these have been renewed two or three 
times by some, and in many instances in 
increased amounts, the donors manifesting 
the utmost enthusiasm in the work of the 
society. The list for 1883 for example, has 
the names of three contributors who gave 
$200 a year for three years, five who gave 
$100 a year, eight $50 a year, and ten $25 
a year. In addition there were ten sub- 
scribers at $20 each, five at $15, and forty- 
six at $10. Many of these in renewing 






61 



—NEW 



their three years' subscriptions at the 
beginning of the present year, doubled the 
amounts, and a few did better. The Society 
has a permanent fund of over $6,000„and its 
whole property is valued at about $37,000. 

In 1885 the Summer Camp for Boys was 
established at Lake Quinsigamond, and a 
bond for a deed of a tract of land, which 
included most of Wigwam Hill, was taken. 
The money to pay for this land was given 
in 1888 by Hon. Joseph H. Walker. {See 
preceding article). This Camp or Training 
School has been maintained to the present 
with gratifying and increasing success. The 
plan of the work here is fully set forth in a 
communication written by Prof. E. Harlow 
Russell, of the State Normal School, 
and printed in the Fifty - second 
Annual Report of the Massachusetts 
Board of Education (1887-88), to which the 
inquirer is referred for particulars. The 
Camp is open from July 1 to Sept 1. Some- 
thing of military discipline is maintained, 
and daily lectures on scientific subjects are 
given, alternating with manual training, 
swimming, etc. The subscriptions in aid 
of the Camp amounted in 1886 to over 
$1,000, and its success has been so great 
that Thomas H. Dodge, Esq., has offered 
the use of a tract of land on the Shrews- 
bury side of the lake to establish a Summer 
School for girls. In the winter, scientific 
work in the Natural History Society is car- 
ried on by clubs,'f ormed by those interested 
in the different departments. The rooms 
are open to the public every week clay 
from 9 to 5. Dr. Raymenton retired from 
the presidency of the Society the present 
year, and was succeeded by Edward Howe 
Forbush, who brings to the office a natural 
love for science, good qualifications, and 
practical experience as a naturalist. 

New England Village. — A manufac- 
turing village in the north part of Grafton, 
established in 1826, at the time the New 
England Manufacturing Co. located on the 
mill privilege there, the waters of Lake 
Quinsigamond having their outlet at this 
point. Cotton, linen, and other goods, fire- 
arms, boots and shoes, etc., have been 
made here. The village is about six miles 
from Worcester. 

New Hampshire, (Sons and Daugh- 
ters of).— An association, composed of 
natives of New Hampshire and their fami- 
lies, organized in 1880. 

Newspapers. — The Massachusetts Spy, 
established in Boston in 1770, was removed to 
Worcester in April, 1775, and a copy of the 
issue of May 3d, in the possession of the 
American Antiquarian Society, bears the 
certificate of Isaiah Thomas, that it was 
the first thing ever printed in Worcester. 



{See under Spy in the Dictionary). An 
abridgement of the Spy, called the Massa- 
chusetts Herald or Worcester Journal, 
issued in 1783, failed after four numbers. 
Tlie A merican Herald and Worcester Re- 
corder was removed here from Boston in 
August, 1788, and was printed in Worcester 
two years and two months. The Inde- 
pendent Gazetteer appeared Jan. 7, 1800, 
and continued two years. The National 
JEgis was founded in 1801, to sustain the 
principles of Jefferson against the misrep- 
resentations and abuse of the Federalists 
of Massachusetts. It was published till 
1833, and re-established in 1838, continuing 
to 1857, when it was merged with the 
Transcript, and at present is known as the 
JEgis and Gazette. Three numbers of the 
Scorpion, a virulent political sheet, ap- 
peared in 1809. The Massachusetts Yeoman 
appeared from 1823 to 1833. Jubal Har- 
rington began the publication of the 
Worcester County Republican, a Jackso- 
nian paper, in 1829, which continued ten 
years. The Worcester Palladium, until 
1856 a Democratic Weekly, afterwards 
Republican, was founded by J. S. C. 
Knowlton Jan. 1, 1834. The last number 
was published Feb. 12, 1876. The Worcester 
Waterfall and the Cataract were temper- 
ance papers published in Washingtonian 
times. Elihu Burritt began to publish the 
Christian Citizen Jan. 6, 1844, and the 
paper was continued seven years. The 
Daily Transcript, the first daily in Worces- 
ter, appeared June 23, 1845, and was fol- 
lowed by the Daily Spy July 24 of the same 
year. These papers were consolidated. The 
Worcester Daily Journal was printed from 
Sept., 1847, to Oct., 1849. The Daily Morn- 
ing Transcript, first issued April 1, 1851, is 
continued in the present Evening Gazette. 
The Worcester Evening Journal, a Know- 
Nothing paper, was in existence from Aug. 
30, 1854, to May 26, 1855. The Worcester 
Daily Press was published from April 1, 
1873, to April 27, 1878. It was Democratic 
in politics, and those who sustained it lost 
heavMy. The New England Home Journal, 
recently sold to the Times, first appeared 
Dec. 21, 1882, with Henry M. Smith as edi- 
tor. The above comprise the more 
important of the papers which have been 
published in Worcester, though many 
others have at different periods appeared, 
and enjoyed a brief existence. The papers 
published at present are noticed in the 
Dictionary under their different names, 
viz.: Gazette, Messenger, Spy, Telegram, 
Times. See also under French Canadians, 
and the article on Sivedes. 

Newton Hill.— The eminence now in- 
cluded in Elm Park, known in earlier times 
as Little Prospect Hill. Its height is 672 
feet. After several years 1 consideration 



NEW— NOE 



62 



the city purchased the hill in 1888, and it is 
now open as a public ground. Of the 
tract acquired, some sixty acres in all, 
John W. Wetherell and wife owned 45.77 
acres, for which they were paid $25,120; 
William S. Lincoln 10.25 acres, receiving 
$12,565; and N. S. Johnson and C. G. Har- 
rington 3.87 acres, taken by the Parks 
Commission who awarded them $6,700, 
which they have thus far refused to ac- 
cept. If the award of the Commission 
stands the price paid for the hill will be 
$44,385. A fine view of the city and sur- 
rounding country can be had from the 
summit, and the ascent is easy. 

New Worcester.— The region around 
Webster square. Main street ends here, 
and Mill, Leicester, Webster and Cambridge 
streets diverge from this point. The name 
appears to have been first applied about 
the year 1820. 

New York, (Natives of).— See Empire 
State. 

Nobility Hill.— When Main street was 
first graded, a portion on the west side, ex- 
tending from opposite Park street to a 
little beyond Franklin square, was left at 
its original level, and a bank wall erected 
with an iron railing on the top, giving 
much the same appearance that Court Hiil 
now presents. This hill or terrace was oc- 
cupied by several fine residences of the 
old style. A street from High street 
to the roadway over the hill was called Cor- 
bett street. This was in the line of the 
present Chatham street, but, of course, at 
a much higher level. The hill was removed 
about twenty years ago, much widening 
Main street at that point. The Rice, Frank- 
lin, Knowles and Clark buildings follow the 
line of the old residences. 

Non-Secret Endowment Order. — This 
Order was organized in Worcester, and in- 
corporated Sept. 17, 1839. Its distinctive 
characteristic among the fraternal and 
mutual benefit societies is, the entire 
absence of secrecy, so far as dispensing 
with pass-words, signs, and a secret ritual 
is concerned. The Supreme Assembly has 
its head-quarters in this city. 

Normal School, (State).—" By the 

terms of a resolve, which went into effect 
on the 25th day of June, 1871, tha Board of 
Education were authorized and required to 
establish a State Normal School in the city of 
Worcester; and the Trustees of the Worces- 
ter Lunatic Hospital were authorized and 
required to convey to the Board of Educa- 
tion and its successors a tract of land of 
not more than five acres, to be located by 
the Governor and Council, within certain 



limits fixed in the resolve. An appropria- 
tion of $60,000 was made upon condition 
that the City of Worcester should pay the 
Board of Education for the purposes named 
in the resolve the sum of $15,000. This con- 
dition was promptly complied with. The 
tract was located by the Governor and 
Council Sept. 2, 1871; and on the 19th of 
Sept., 1871, the conveyance was made by the 
Trustees of the Hospital to the Board of 
Education and its successors in trust as 
directed." 

The land was located upon a portion of 
what was called Hospital Hill, and the 
building as erected now fronts on Prospect 
street. This building is a large three-story 
massive structure, of granite from Mill- 
stone hill. It was dedicated Sept. 11, 1874, 
and the school was opened on the 15 th. E. 
Harlow Russell has been principal from 
the beginning, and is assisted by a corps of 
seven teachers. " The design of the school 
is strictly professional; that is to prepare 
in the best possible manner the pupils for 
the work of organizing, governing and 
teaching in the public schools of the Com- 
monwealth.'" Entrance examinations occur 
twice a year, at the beginning of each term. 
Exercises of graduation occur on the last 
day of the summer term. There are two 
courses— one of two years, the other of four 
years. Tuition is free to such as intend to 
teach in the public schools of Massachu- 
setts. 

North. Park.— This tract of land in the 
vicinity of Adams square, came into the 
possession of the City January 1st, 1889. 
It comprises about thirty-nine and one-half 
acres, owned as follows by the parties 
named, who sold the land to the Parks 
Commission at $500 an acre : Joseph E. 
Bond, 12.64 acres; A. C. Harris, 3.75 acres; 
Alfred Smith, 3.58 acres; A. G. Weatherbee, 
2.53 acres; John D. Curtis, 16.89 acres. 
Mr. Curtis was allowed $112 to cover one 
years' taxes, making the total amount 
paid $28,265. 

North Pond.— The largest pond lying 
entirely in Worcester, supplied mainly by 
the waters of Mill Brook. It was formerly 
the head watar of the Blackstone canal. 
The pond lies about a mile and a naif north 
of Lincoln square. The area of the pond 
is over 200 acres. 

Northville. — A. village in the north part 
of Worcester, near North Pond, soma two 
miles from the center of the city. The 
Northville Library Association is a literary 
society established here, and a mission is 
sustained. 

North Worcester. — A village in the 
north part of the city, on Hjlden streat. 



63 



NOT— ODD 



The association known as the North Wor- 
cester Aid Society has its headquarters in 
a hall on Holden street. 

Notabilities.— A complete list of No- 
tabilities who have been in Worcester 
cannot be given here, but some promi- 
nent ones are mentioned below. General 
Daniel Gookin and John Eliot, visited Wor- 
cester in early times. Chief -Justice Sewall 
was here several times during the first 
quarter of the eighteenth century. White- 
field spoke on the Common in 1740. The 
youthful Lord Howe, to whom Massachu- 
setts erected a monument in Westminster 
Abbey, passed through here on the 5th of 
August, 1757. He was killed at Ticonder- 
oga in 1758. Lord Amherst with his army 
of 4500 men halted in Worcester on the 17th 
of September, 1757. In revolutionary times 
the place was visited by Generals Wash- 
ington, Lee, Steuben, and Burgoyne. Dr. 
Franklin, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, 
John Paul Jones and Lady Washington 
were here during the same period. La- 
fayette visited Worcester twice in 1824-5. 
The Duke of Saxe-Weimer was in Wor- 
cester August 9, 1825. Of the Presi- 
dents Washington, John Adams, John Q. 
Adams, Van Buren, Polk, Pierce, Buchan- 
an, Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, Hayes, Arthur 
and Cleveland, have favored Worcester 
with their presence. Of political notabil- 
ities we find the names of Oliver Ellsworth, 
Alexander Hamilton, Daniel Webster, 
Henry Clay, Thomas H. Benton, Stephen 
A. Douglas, William H. Seward, Charles 
Sumner, Henry Wilson and many others; 
Dickens, Thackeray, Longfellow, Collins 
and others eminent in literature. Among 
noted foreigners Father Mathew, Kossuth 
and the Prince of Wales. For musical and 
theatrical celebrities who have visited 
Worcester see under Music and Theatres. 

Nurges' Training School.— A training 
school for nurses is maintained at the City 
Hospital, under the management of an 
efficient superintendent, and is an impor- 
tant and successful department of the 
institution. The pupils do the entire nurs- 
ing at the hospital, and also attend patients 
in families outside. 

Oak Hill. — The rising land southeast of 
the Union Railroad Station, populated 
largely with French Canadians. The slope 
rises abruptly from the railroad, and the 
houses rise one above another in full view 
up the declivity. The Bloomingdale road 
runs along the side of the hill. 

Dungarven or Dutch Hill is a particular 
locality above the Bloomingdale road long 
known in police circles. 

Oaks, (The).— The estate on Lincoln 



street, formerly the property of Timothy 
Paine, a prominent loyalist in the Revolu- 
tion. It is now occupied by the Rev. 
George S. Paine, a descendant in the fourth 
generation. The erection of the house was 
begun about the time the war opened, and 
the place was abandoned by its owner, who 
was for a time a refugee. The property 
was subsequently recovered, and for many 
years was occupied by Dr. William Paine. 
His son Frederick W. Paine gathered a fine 
and large library, which is still maintained 
in the house by the present owner. 

Odd Fellows. — A social organization 
under this name was in existence in Wor- 
cester about the period 1820-1825, but it had 
no connection with the present popular 
secret Order. Among the first Odd Fellows 
in Worcester were Samuel S. Leonard, 
George C. Taft, James Murray and John F. 
Locke. The first lodge of I. O. O. F, insti- 
tuted in Worcester, was Quinsigamond, 
No. 43, formed May 1, 1844. Present num- 
ber of members, 540. Worcester Lodge, 
No. 56, instituted Dec. 20, 1844, has now 425 
members. Central Lodge, No. 168, formed 
Sept. 17, 1874, numbers 310. Ridgely Lodge. 
No. 112, formed Sept. 19, 1882, has now 212 
members. Anchoria Lodge, No. 142, was 
instituted March 31, 1837, and has a mem- 
bership of 80. There are two lodges of 
Daughters of Rebekah : Naomi, No. 18, 
June 27, 1872, and Queen Esther, No. 33, 
March 24, 1881, numbering 445 and 210 re- 
spectively. There are two encampments : 
Wachusett No. 10, instituted May 16, 1845, 
surrendered its charter in 1851, and was re- 
instituted Oct. 20, 1869. It has 295 members. 
Mt. Vernon, No. 53, instituted Sept. 27, 
1877, has 245 members. The Odd Fellows' 1 
Mutual Benefit Association of Worcester 
County was organized Oct. 13, 1871, and in- 
corporated Oct. 15, 1877. It now has 1300 
members and $14,000 in funds. The Canton 
is a social and military association of Odd 
Fellows, but not of a mutual benefit char- 
acter. The Shaffner Society (named for 
Tal. P. Shaffner) is a social club of Odd 
Fellows, with rooms at 377 Main street. 
The building on Pleasant street, known as 
the " Odd Fellows, 1 " is not owned by them, 
but a hall is used there, and there is 
another hall in Chapin block on Pearl 
street. The Grand United Order of Odd 
Fellows is a colored organization, and com- 
prises in Worcester Integrity Lodge, No. 
1768; Patriarchal Lodge; and Household 
of Ruth. Rooms on Pearl street, in War- 
ren Block. The Order of Odd Ladies is 
entirely separate and distinct from Odd 
Fellows, though similar in character. 
There are three lodges: Worcester, No. 8, 
Goodwill, No. 9, Hope, No. 11, all organized 
since 1886. The State Odd Fello ivs 1 Home 
is to be built in Worcester on land given by 



OLD— OMN 



64 



Thomas H. Dodge, Esq., near Barber's 
Crossing. Mr. Dodge has also given 
another estate in that vicinity for a Home 
for Odd Ladies. 

The Dictionary is indebted to Mander A. 
Maynard for the above facts. 

"Old Compound."— A one-story wood- 
en building that for many years stood 
nearly on the site of the Harrington build- 
ing at the corner of Main and Front streets. 
It was removed to the north side of Pleas- 
ant street, near Main, where it stood in an 
altered form until removed to make room 
for the Odd Fellows building. 

Old Men's Home.— The Old Men's 
Home in the City of Worcester was incor- 
porated March 28, 1874, with the purpose 
to furnish aid to such respectable, aged and 
indigent men, who may be obliged by mis- 
fortune to solicit charity or assistance. In 
response to a public appeal, Albert Curtis, 
Esq., made a gift to the corporation of a 
fine estate situated at New Worcester, to 
be used as an asylum or home for unfortu- 
nate old men. The lack of sufficient funds 
to the present time has prevented the 
directors from utilizing this property in 
the manner desired, but it is expected that 
the near future will see the home in occu- 
pation. 

Old South. Church.— In relation to the 
first church in Worcester the Rev. Peter 
Whitney, in his History of Worcester 
County, published in 1793, makes the fol- 
lowing definite statement: " In the year 
1719 the first meeting-house was erected, 
and here a church was gathered." In the 
absence of any record to the contrary this 
testimony of one who probably saw and 
conversed with some of those who attended 
the early religious meetings held in the 
town would seem to be conclusive as com- 
pared with what are acknowledged to be 
matters of tradition. Mr. Whitney was a 
thorough investigator, and a careful his- 
torian. This first meeting-house, of which 
he speaks, was erected on the spot so long 
occupied by the familiar "Old South 
Church " on the Common. The first struc- 
ture was demolished in 1763, and the later one 
stood until 1887, when it too, went the way 
of all earthly things. The new and costly 
edifice, at the corner of Main and Welling- 
ton streets, was dedicated Sept. 17, 1889. It 
cost (including land) probably $150,000. It 
is of brown stone throughout, and of novel 
architecture, and there are few handsomer 
churches in the state. The amount 
awarded the Parish in 1887, when the old 
building was removed from the Common, 
was $148,500; but a compromise was 
effected by which tbe City paid $115,395.25, 



and gave the old bell in addition. The 
amount received per contra was $320 for 
the old building, and $75 for the founda- 
tion stone. Following is a list of the pas- 
tors of the "Old South 11 to the present 
time: 

Rev. Andrew Gardner, 1719-1722. 

Rev. Isaac Burr, 1725-1745. 

Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, 1747-1784. 

Rev. Samuel Austin, 1790-1816. 

Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, 1816-1820. 

Rev. Areetius B. Hull, 1821-1826. 

Rev. Rodney A. Miller, 1827-1844. 

Rev. George P. Smith, 1845-1852. 

Rev. Horace James, 1853-1863. 

Rev. Edward A. Walker, 1863-1865. 

Rev. Royal B. Stratton, 1867-1872. 

Rev. William M. Parry, (not installed). 

Rev. Nathaniel Mighill, 1875-1877. 

Rev. Louis B. Voorhees, 1877-1880. 

Rev. Joseph F. Lovering, 1880. 

Following is a list of Clerks of the First 
Parish from Dec. 24, 1787, when the first 
separate meeting was held, to the present 
time. See Town Clerks. 

Dec. 24, 1787, Theophilus Wheeler. 

April 21, 1795, Leonard Worcester. 

April 1, 1799, Oliver Fiske. 

April 3, 1810, Asa Hamilton. 

March 21, 1821, Charles Wheeler. 

April 14, 1823, Enoch Flagg. 

April 7, 1824, Henry Wheeler. 

April 14, 1828, Austin Denny. 

April 12, 1830, Henry W. Miller. 

March 26, 1842, Harrison Bliss. 

March 27, 1843, William C. Barbour. 

April 24, 1844, William A. Wallace. 

March 1, 1849, Charles E. Brooks. 

March 15, 1851, Asaph G. Wood. 

April 24, 1854, James E. Estabrook. 

March 22, 1858, James H. Bancroft. 

January, 1872, Joseph B. Adams. 

April, 1873, Lorenzo Q. Spaulding. 

January, 1874, Lemuel H. Hammond. 
" 1875, George A. Jordan. 
" 1878, Henry H. Merriam. 
1880, Joseph B. Adams. 

April, 1881, Arthur E. Gray. 

January, 1885, Albert F. Smith to Jan- 
uary 1890. 

The Souvenir of the Old South, issued by 
the publishers of this Dictionary, gives a 
particular history of the church from its 
organization, with many facts and details 
not in print elsewhere. 

Omnibuses.— Omnibuses run from cor- 
ner of Main and Pleasant streets through 
Main, Austin, Queen, Chandler and Dewey 
streets. From Harrington corner through 
Front and Grafton streets to Houghton 
street. From Harrington corner through 
Main and Central streets to Laurel Hill. 
From Mechanics Hall through Main, 
Chandler, Queen, Jacques Avenue, King, 
Woodland, Kingsbury to Hollywood street. 



65 



ORC— PAR 



Orchestral Union. — A musical organ- 
ization formed in 1875. It is directed by 
the brothers, A. W. and E. D. Ingraham. 
It has rooms at 16 Mechanic street, and 
meets for practice every Monday evening. 

" Oread, (The).— In 1845 Eli Thayer pur- 
chased of John Jaques four acres and 
ninety rods of land situated on the summit 
of what was then called Goat Hill, at $150 
per acre. In 1848 Mr. Thayer began the 
erection of the north tower of the building 
called the Oread, using the stone of which 
the hill is composed in its construction. 
This tower was completed in 1849, and a 
college for young women established in the 
spring of that year. This was the only school 
in the country at that time which opened a 
full classical or college course to women, 
the other female seminaries fitting pupils 
to enter the Oread. Vassar, Smith and 
Wellesley colleges were much later. The 
name Oread was aptly applied from the 
line in Virgil 

" Hinc atque nine glomerantur Oreades," 
and signifies abode of the mountain 
nymphs. The school was continued many 
years with great success, under the plan 
laid out by Mr. Thayer, who was Principal 
until he entered upon his Kansas and Con- 
gressional work. The south tower was com- 
pleted in 1850, and the connecting part in 
1851 or 1852. The diameter of the towers 
is 40 feet, and they are four stories high; 
the connection is three stories. Length of 
the whole, 250 feet. Other extensive struc- 
tures were planned and some of them 
built; but the great advance in real estate 
values has induced their removal. The 
buildings were all erected without archi- 
tects 1 plans, but have been much noticed 
and admired; and a steel plate illustra- 
tion of the main building, which is 
castellated in form, appeared as the 
frontispiece of a work on architecture is- 
sued some years ago. The extensive 
grounds, which formerly reached to Main 
street, having been disposed of, a new 
street was laid out directly in front of the 
Oread, and named Aid en street, which is 
reached from Main street either through 
Castle street or Oread Place. 

Oregon.— The region west from Chest- 
nut and Harvard streets, on the western 
slope of the hill and the meadow beyond, 
particularly in the vicinity of the lower 
end of John street, and North Ashland 
street. This name was given many years 
ago, at the time building operations began 
in this part of the town, which was consid- 
ered a long distance from the center. 



Orphans' Home. — See 

Friend Society. 



Children's 



Orthodox Churches.— See Congrega- 
tional Churches. 

Pakachoag Hill.— The eminence in the 
southern part of the city, sometimes called 
Mount St. James. It is occupied in part by 
the buildings and grounds of Holy Cross 
College. The Indian name has been cor- 
rupted through various spellings into Bog- 
achoag. It was here that one of the ten 
villages of Indian Christian converts was 
located in Eliot and Gookin's time, over two 
hundred years ago. This hill is 693 feet 
high ; and extends into Auburn. 

Paper Mills.— In 1776 Abijah Burbank 
erected a paper mill in that part of Sutton 
now Millbury, and began the manufacture 
of paper to supply the imperative demand 
of the times. Isaiah Thomas drew most 
of his supply from this mill. This estab- 
lishment continued in operation until 1857. 
In 1793 Isaiah Thomas began the manufac- 
ture of paper at Quinsigamond Village, 
and sold his mill five years later to the 
Burbanks who run it in connection with 
the one in Sutton. In 1812 paper was made 
in a building at Lincoln Square. In 1836 
there was a mill at Northville, and from 
1834 to 1856 one in Auburn; also forty or 
fifty years ago a manufactory at Cherry 
Valley. For these and many other facts 
on the subject, see Ellery B. Crane's ac- 
count of ''■Early Paper Mills in MassUchu- 
setts'" printed in the Proceedings of the 
Worcester Society of Antiquity for 1886, 
included in the seventh volume of the 
"Collections 1 ' of that society. 

Parks, (Public.)— Worcester now has 
ten public parks, the whole comprising 
nearly 350 acres. See the different titles 
in the Dictionary as follows: — 

Chandler Hill, 37 acres. 

Common or Central Park, 7 acres. 

Crompton Park, 13 acres. 

East Park, 11 acres. 

Elm Park, 86 acres. 

Fairmount Park. 

Institute Park, 18 acres. 

Lake Park, 110 acres. 

North Park, 40 acres. 

University Park, 8 acres. 

See also Natural History Park, 40 acres. 

Parks-Commission.— On the 4th of No- 
vember, 1862, the citizens of Worcester 
accepted by vote an act of the Legislature 
creating a Commission of Shade Trees and 
Public Grounds. This Commission was to 
consist of three members, and the first 
board entered upon its duties with the be- 
ginning of the year 1863. May 1, 1885, this 
body was re-organized with five members, 
and its name changed to that of Parks- 
Commission. Its powers and duties are 



PAR— PIL 



66 



indicated by its title. Edward Winslow 
Lincoln is chairman and secretary, his 
associates being O. B. Hadwen, Martin 
Green, Edward L. Davis and James Draper. 
It is no disparagement to the valuable 
services of those who have been his col- 
leagues to say that from his appointment 
in 1870, Mr. Lincoln has been the back-bone 
of the Commission, and that to his intelli- 
gent direction, liberal views and practical 
sense Worcester owes much of what she 
to-day possesses in the form of public 
parks. 

Parochial Schools.— See Schools. 

Patrons of Husbandry.— An organiza- 
tion of those engaged in agricultural and 
horticultural pursuits, having for its object 
the advancement of the educational, social 
and material interests of its members. It 
is composed of local, state and national 
organizations having Subordinate Granges 
in every state in the union. Worcester 
Grange No. 22, was organized Dec. 30th, 
1873. The officers were James Draper, 
Master; George H. Rice, Secretary; O. B. 
Hadwen, Treasurer. The meetings are 
now held on the first and third Tuesday 
evening of each month, at Insurance Hall, 
No. 240 Main street. Present membership, 
265. 

Peat Meadow.— The meadow known by 
this name lies to the west of Newton Hill. 
The formation is of this nature all about 
that locality, in the marshy places. Peat 
was once used to some extent for fuel in 
Worcester, and a company was formed 
over thirty years ago for its preparation, 
but soon collapsed. 

People's Club,(Worcester).— This asso- 
ciation was organized Jan. 27, 1871, and 
incorporated in 1872. Its leading object 
was to provide an attractive place of resort 
for those in need of companionship and 
recreation. Its rooms, at first over the 
Western Union Telegraph office, between 
Foster and Mechanic streets, were fitted up 
with pictures, books, papers, piano, at- 
tractive games, etc., and were open every 
evening from 7 to 10. The club was divid- 
ed into three sections — on hospitality, edu- 
cation and benevolence, and a member on 
entering was assigned to one of these sec- 
tions. The club was in existence about 
five years and at one time had its head- 
quarters at Grand Army Hall. An attempt 
was made to civilize and cultivate the 
newsboys, in a similar way to the method 
pursued in the Boy's Club (q. v.) recently 
started in this city. The Employment So- 
ciety (see title) is an outcome of this club. 

Pharmaceutical Society.— An associa- 



tion of druggists, with William Bush as 
President. 

Philadelphian Literary Society. — A 

rhetorical and literary society of young 
men formed in 1873, which occupied rooms 
at 460 Main Street. The association was 
quite prominent for several years, but in- 
terest in its purposes and objects waned 
and after one or two futile attempts to 
revive it, the organization was abandoned. 

Photographers.— The first photographs 
or daguerreotypes taken in Worcester 
were made by a man named Evans who 
had a room in 1841 at the north corner of 
Main and Central streets. He instructed 
Lucius J. Knowles, who soon after opened 
his "Worcester Photographic Apparatus 
manufactory and Daguerreotype rooms. 11 
In 1842, Mr. Knowles was located at 5 
Brinley Row, having removed there from 
some other place. He was not long in the 
business. The names of some early photo- 
graphers in Worcester are given below 
with approximate dates: L. White & Co., 
and White & Andrews, 1846; J. L. Walker, 
1846; Andrews & Babbitt, Waldo block, 
1847; A. W. VanAlstin, 1847 to 1858 or '59; 
Geo. Adams, 1847; J. D. Andrews, T. S. 
Hathaway, M. S. Chapin and Lewis Bab- 
bitt between 1850 and 1860. Of present 
photographers, C. R. B. Claflin came here 
in 1850. He was 29 years located at 377 
Main street, and has just moved to the 
Walker building. A. F. Daniels began in 
1861, and Frank Lawrence in 1863. Milton 
T. Carter was located at the corner of 
Main and Park streets for more than 20 
years, until his death in 1887. E. J. Leland 
occupied the rooms at the corner of Main 
and Front streets for a long period, and 
gave up the business about ten years ago. 
G. P. Critcherson opened his gallery about 
twenty-five years ago. 

Piedmont Church.— The seventh Con- 
gregational-Trinitarian Church formed in 
Worcester, organized in 1873. The church 
edifice, at the corner of Main and Piedmont 
streetSj was completed in 1877. The lot on 
which it stands was purchased in 1872 for 
$20,000; but being larger than was required 
for church purposes, a portion on the south 
was sold. The cost of church and land was 
$130,000. Rev. George H. Gould was acting 
pastor until 1877, when Rev. David O. Mears 
was installed, and the latter still remains. 

Pilgrim Church.— The ninth Congrega- 
tional-Trinitarian Church ia Worcester, 
founded in 1885. The church edifice, at the 
corner of Main and Gardner streets, was 
built on land given by Mrs. Helen C. 
Knowles and Mr. Frank B. Knowles, and 



e: 



PIL— POL 



was dedicated July 1, 1888. The building 
cost $110,000. Charles M. Southgate is pas- 
tor. 

Pillory.— See under Whipping Post. 

Pine Meadow,— A name early applied 
to the swale or low ground between Oak 
and Chandler hills, extending a mile east 
of Washington square. Shrewsbury street, 
formerly called Pine street, runs through 
the center of the meadow. Many years 
ago a large Irish settlement was made here 
and still remains, though much improved 
over its former condition. The Pine 
Meadow burying ground, a short distance 
beyond Washington square, was opened in 
1828, and used some thirty years, but 
nearly all the bodies have been removed. 
A portion of this ground was encroached 
upon in the building of the Union Railway 
Station. la police circles Pine Meadow is 
familiarly known as " The Meadows. 11 

Plymouth Church.— The sixth Congre- 
gational-Trinitarian Church in Worcester, 
formed in 1869. The church edifice, at the 
corner of Pearl and Chestnut streets, is 
constructed entirely of granite, and cost 
over $150,000. The corner stone was laid 
April 26, 1873, and the church was dedi- 
cated April 29, 1875. The steeple contains 
the only chime of bells in the City; this, 
with the organ, given by Edward A. Good- 
now. Plymouth Church has had only two 
pastors— George W. Phillips, to 1887, and 
Charles Wadsworth, Jr. The latter has re- 
cently resigned. 

Police.— The Worcester Police Force has 
maintained a high reputation for its 
efficiency. W. Ansel Washburn is City 
Marshal, and has served eleven years. The 
present force is composed of the City Mar- 
shal, two assistant marshals, two captains, 
one sergeant and eighty-seven patrolmen. 
The Marshal receives $2,000 salary, the as- 
sistant marshals $1,482 each, the captain of 
station 1, $1,200, and the patrolmen $2.50 
per day. The appropriation for the depart- 
ment in 1889 was $80,000. The number of 
arrests in 1888 was 4,241, and 6,583 lodgers 
or tramps were accommodated at the sta- 
tions. There is a police telephone and 
signal service, a van or "Black Maria, 11 an 
ambulance and two patrol wagons. A ma- 
tron is employed at the Central Station. On 
the 28th of May, 1888, the Worcester police 
was made permanent, so that officers, (ex- 
cepting the Marshal and his assistants),can 
now be removed only for cause. The 
Police Relief Association is a voluntary or- 
ganization of the members of the force, for 
the purpose of aiding a sick member tem- 
porarily and paying a death benefit to his 
widow and orphans of $400. This fund is 



supported by annual assessments of the 
members and the proceeds of their annual 
balis. The first paid policeman in Worces- 
ter was Alvan W. Lewis, appointed in Sep- 
tember, 1848. The number of police at 
different times is given below: 1855, 5; 
1860, 12; 1865, 16; 1870, 30; 1875, 50; 1880, 60; 
1885, 80. 

Following is a list of City Marshals since 
the incorporation of the City in 1848: 

George Jones, 1848-52. 

Alvan Allen, 1853. 

Lovell Baker, 1854. 

Jonathan Day, 1855. 

Frederick Warren, 1856-58. 

J. Waldo Denny, 1858. 

William S. Lincoln, 1859. 

Ivers Phillips, 1860. 

Levi Barker, 1861. 

William E. Starr, 1862. 

Charles B. Pratt, 1863-65. 

Joseph B. Knox, 1866. 

A. B. R. Sprague, 1867— six weeks. 

James M. Drennan, 1867-71, 1880-82. 

Jonathan B. Sibley, 1872. 

W. Ansel Washburn, 1873, 1875-79, 1883, 
1886-89. 

A. Davis Pratt, 1874 

Amos Atkinson, 1884-85. 

Police Stations.— The basement of the 
City Hall building was used as a police 
station for many years, until the removal 
of the Police Department to its present 
quarters in the Armory building on Waldo 
street in 1885. Station 2, in the " Island 
District,' 1 was established in 1883, quarters 
being fitted up in the engine house on 
Lamartine street. 

Polytechnic Institute, (Worcester). 

—This institute was founded by John Boyn- 
ton, Esq., of Templeton, in 1865, and was 
incorporated May 10th of that year under 
the name of the Worcester County Free 
Institute of Industrial Science. Mr. 
Boynton gave $100,000 with the purpose, 
as set forth in his letter of gift, to 
endow and support a Free School or Insti- 
tute for the benefit of the youth of Wor- 
cester County. Its aim was ever to be the 
instruction of youth in those branches of 
education not usually taught in the public 
schools which are essential and best 
adapted to train the young for practical 
life. Towards the erection of the main 
building Hon. Stephen Salisbury gave (in 
addition to the land, about five acres), the 
sum of ($22,000); and $61,111 was subscribed 
in all, which was mostly given by citizens 
of Worcester, the workmen in twenty shops 
and factories contributing $1,551. The 
grounds were laid out by Calvert Vaux of 
New York; and Earle & Fuller were the 
architects. The building, constructed of 
granite from Millstone Hill, with trimmings 



POO— POR 



68 



of Uxbridge granite, was erected by Tower 
& Raymond. The total cost of building, 
grading of grounds, equipment and furni- 
ture, was $75,343.68. The main building 
was named Boynton Hall, and dedicated 
Nov. 11, 1868, and the school began its ses- 
sions at that time. The work-shop, one 
hundred feet in length and three stories 
high, was the gift of Ichabod Washburn, 
who, in addition to the cost of erection 
($12,000), gave $5,000, and the income of 
$50,000 during his life-time to sustain it, 
and at his death the sum of $50,000. In 
addition to the above gifts the Institute has 
received from Hon. Stephen Salisbury, 
$176,000, and additional land ; from the State 
of Massachusetts, $100,000; from David 
Whitcomb, Esq., $26,000; from Hon. George 
F. Hoar, $4,650; and from Stephen Salis- 
bury, Esq., $100,000, with which the Salis- 
bury Laboratory, completed in 1889, was 
erected. The total donations to the Insti- 
tute amount to not less than $650,000. The 
grounds are bounded by the Jo Bill or 
Institute road, Boynton, Salisbury and 
West streets. 

Charles O. Thompson was the first princi- 
pal of the Institute from 1868 to 1882, and 
was succeeded by Homer T. Fuller, the 
present head of the faculty. There is a 
corps of fifteen professors and instructors. 
The course of instruction is especially de- 
signed to meet the wants of those who 
wish to be prepared as mechanics, civil 
engineers, chemists or designers. The 
training of students preparing to be me- 
chanical engineers occupies three and one- 
half years; that of all others three years of 
forty weeks each. There are four classes: 
Apprentice, junior, middle and senior. The 
school year begins in September and ends 
in July. The last catalogue gives 168 as 
the number of students at the Institute. 

By an act of the Legislature, which took 
effect July 1, 1887, the name was changed 
to Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Dur- 
ing the present year an essential change 
has been made by which free tuition to an 
unlimited number of residents of the 
county is no longer given, but is afforded 
only to five students admitted at each 
examination — one from each Senatorial 
District in the county. As there are five 
districts and seven examinations during 
the course, there can be but thirty-five free 
Worcester County students in the school at 
any one time. The expense of tuition to 
all others, (with the exception of those pro- 
vided for by the gift of Mr. Hoar, and the 
grants from the State), is $150 per year. 

The corporation of the Institute is at 
present constituted as follows : Hon. P. 
Emory Aldrich, President; Rev. Daniel 
Merriman, Secretary ; Waldo Lincoln, Treas- 
urer; Hon. George F. Hoar, Charles H. Mor- 
gan, Philip L. Moen, Stephen Salisbury, G. 



Henry Whitcomb, Rev. A. S. Garver, Rev. 
C. H.Pendleton, Hon. William W. Rice ; and 
Mayor Samuel Winslow, ex-officio. 

Poor Department. — The first tax as- 
sessed in Worcester for the benefit of the 
poor seems to have been in 1757. In 1763 
the erection of a workhouse was author- 
ized, and in 1772 such a building was 
erected on Front street, 40x18 feet, at an 
expense of £70. In 1807 it was determined 
to build an almshouse of brick, but after 
land had been purchased for the site, and 
materials for the structure, the plan was 
abandoned. Until 1817 the poor were sup- 
ported by contracts with the highest bid- 
der at public auction, in the manner usual 
in the country towns. In that year the 
Jennison farm, situated on the old road to 
Boston, bordering on the upper end of 
Lake Quinsigamond, was purchased, with 
its comfortable mansion, for $5,500, and a 
permanent home provided for the aged 
and infirm of our indigent citizens. The 
above facts are from Lincoln's History. 
The almshouse establishment, as received 
by the City from the Town in 1848, consisted 
of a farm of 240 acres, an almshouse, brick 
hospital and other buildings, which had 
cost $15,000. In 1855 a new almshouse was 
completed at a cost of $25,012. In 1889 the 
property comprised 203 acres of land, alms- 
house, small-pox hospital and other build- 
ings and appurtenances, the whole valued 
at $131,401. During 1888, 217 persons were 
provided for at the almshouse. Outside 
relief was given to 2661 persons. Amount 
of dole at the clerk's office $5,233. Esti- 
mated expenses of city relief department 
for 1889, $12,000. Amount appropriated 
for the maintenance of the Pauper Depart- 
ment (including the Truant School, 
Scavenger Department, etc.) is $49,700. 
The poor department is in charge of a 
Board of Overseers composed of the 
Mayor, Superintendent of Schools, City 
Marshal, Clerk of the Board and six citi- 
zens at large. George W. Gale has for 
many years been the efficient clerk of the 
Board. His office is in the City Hall. 

Population.— The population of Wor- 
cester at different periods is given below: 
A. D.— 1765— 1,478. A. D.— 1850-17,049. 

1776 - 1,925. 1860—24,960. 

1790-2,095. 1870—41,105. 

1800—2,411. 1875—49,317. 

1810—2,577. 1880—58,291. 

1820—2,962. 1885—68,380. 

1830—4,173. 1889 (Estimate) 82,000. 

1840-7,497. 

Portraits and Busts.— Mr. Nathaniel 
Paine gives in his monograph published in 
1876 a very complete list of the portraits 
and busts in public places in Worcester up 



69 



POS— PRA 



to that date. To his pamphlet the Dic- 
tionary is indebted for the foundation of 
the following list. Only portraits in oil 
are included. 

In Antiquarian Hall: 

Portraits: Isaiah Thomas, Thomas L. 
Winthrop, Gov. John Davis, Increase 
Mather, Cotton Mather, Richard Mather, 
Samuel Mather, John Endicott, John Win- 
throp, William Bentley, Aaron Bancroft, 
C. C. Baldwin, E. D. Bangs. William Bur- 
nett, Rev. Thomas Prince, Rev. Ellis Gray, 
Chas. Paxton, John Chandler, John May, 
Hannah Adams, John Leverett, Columbus, 
Vespucius, Humboldt, Hon. Stephen Salis- 
bury, Samuel F. Haven, Robt. B. Thomas, 

Busts: Isaiah Thomas, Jared Sparks, 
John Davis, Charles Allen, Washington, 
Franklin, John Adams, Alex Hamilton, 
Andrew Jackson, Clay, Webster, Voltaire, 
Racine, John Winthrop, James Walker, 
Isaac Davis. 

In Mechanics Hall: 

Portraits: Washington, Lincoln, John 
A. Andrew, W. L. Garrison, Ichabod Wash- 
burn, Gen. Geo. H. Ward, Mayor James B. 
Blake, William A. Wheeler, James A. Gar- 
field, Henry Wilson. 

In Horticultural Hall: 

Portraits: John C. Ripley, Geo. Jaques, 
Alex H. Bullock, D. Waldo Lincoln, F. H. 
Dewey, Levi Lincoln, Daniel Waldo, Dr. 
John Green, Isaac Davis, J. M. Earle, S. 
Salisbury, Dr. W. Workman, Clarendon 
Harris, F. W. Paine. 

In possession of Worcester Society of 
Antiquity: 

Portraits: John G. Whittier, Elihu Bur- 
ritt, John Brown, Jeremiah Stiles, Peter 
Willard. 

Bust: John Davis. 

In the Court Room, Stone Court House: 

Portraits: Levi Lincoln, 1st; Emory 
Washburn. 

In Probate Court Room: 

Portrait: Ira M. Barton. 

In Law Library: 

Portraits: Pliny Merrick, Charles Allen, 
Benj. F. Thomas, Peter C. Bacon, Dwight 
Foster, George F. Hoar. 

There is a portrait of Dr. John Green in 
the Public Library building on Elm street, 
also a statue of him in plaster. The busts 
of Charles Allen, Emory Washburn, Isaac 
Davis, and Ichabod Washburn, are in the 
Aldermen's chamber at the City Hall. 
There are small photographs or engraved 
portraits of most of the Mayors in the 
Mayor's office. 

Post Office.— The Post Office was estab- 
lished in Worcester, Nov. 16, 1775. Isaiah 
Thomas was appointed Postmaster by Ben- 
jamin Franklin, Postmaster-General of the 
Colonies, and held the office until 1802. The 
Post Office was re-established in the town 



under new regulations March 13, 1786. Pre- 
vious to this year the mail had been carried 
generally by post-riders on horseback, and 
at times without regularity. But from 
January, 1786, when a line of stages was 
established from Portsmouth, in New 
Hampshire, to Savannah, in Georgia, the 
mail was carried by stage coaches on the 
main fine. The first mail on the new plan 
passed through Worcester on the 7th of 
January, from the general Post Office in 
New York to Boston. After twenty -seven 
years" 1 service Isaiah Thomas was removed, 
and the Spy of Sept. 1, 1802, announced 
that "James Wilson, a foreigner, 11 --- had ' 
been appointed in his place. Isaiah Thomas, 
Jr., then proprietor of the paper, com- 
plained bitterly of the change. James 
Wilson exceeded in time of service his 
predecessor, retiring in 1833. Succeeding 
Postmasters were Jubal Harrington, 1833 
to 1839: Maturin L. Fisher, 1839 to 1849; 
Edward W. Lincoln, 1849 to 1854; Emory 
Banister, 1854 to 1861; John Milton Earle, 
1861 to 1867; Josiah Pickett, 1867 to 1886. 
James E. Estabrook, a life long democrat, 
was appointed in 1886 by President Cleve- 
land, and still holds the office. The Post 
Office was open Sundays for half an hour 
after meeting in 1819, and this was proba- 
bly continued to the end of Mr. Wilson's 
administration. In 1844 the American Let- 
ter Mail Co. opened an office in Worcester 
and advertised to send letters to Boston, 
New York and Philadelphia at 6J4 cents. 
During the 'service of Isaiah Thomas the 
Post Office was located on Court Hill; 
Deacon Wilson removed it to the building 
which stood where the City Hall is, and 
later to his residence about where the dry 
goods store of Barnard, Sumner & Co. 
stands. In 1833 the office was removed to 
Central Exchange, where it remained until 
Jan 1, 1867, when the present quarters on 
Pearl street were occupied. The first 
"Penny-Posts 11 or letter carriers were E. 
W. Bartlett, 1847 and more than twenty 
years after; W. L. Aidrich, 1851-52; Julius 
L. Eldridge, 1852-53; and Charles L. Red- 
ding, from 1853 to about 1865. The present 
force of carriers numbers 32, and the office 
force is 28. The Government will soon 
erect a Post Office building on the vacant 
lot between Main and Southbridge streets, 
north of Myrtle street. 

Poultry Club. — The Central Massa- 
chusetts Poultry Club was organized in 
1882. The president is J. W. Stanton, and 
the secretary F. L. Allen. 

Practical Mechanic, (The) .—A month- 
ly mechanical paper designed especially to 
interest practical men in the iron and 
wood- working trades. Established in July, 
1887. It is the first and only trade journal 



PRE— PRI 



70 



ever established in Worcester, famous the 
world over as a rich field of invention and 
the home of many noted mechanics. It 
enjoys a wide circulation and has contribu- 
tions from some of the foremost writers in 
the country on the subjects treated. Pub- 
lished by F. S. Blanchard & Co., 154 Front 
street. 

Precincts.— See Wards. 

Presbyterian Church. — In 1719 a num- 
ber of Scotch Presbyterian families from 
the north of Ireland came to Worcester, 
with the Rev. Edward Fitzgerald, and 
attempted to form a church. A meeting- 
house was partially erected on the road 
that is now Lincoln street; but the other 
settlers in the town assembled and demol- 
ished the half-built structure. Some of 
these Scotch emigrants remained and 
amalgamated with the other residents of 
the place. In April, 1886, Presbyterian 
worship was resumed after an interval of 
150 years, there having been some preach- 
ing here in 1736. The present Presbyterian 
church was organized in September, 1886, 
Rev. J. H. Ralston as pastor. Meetings 
were for some time held in Continental 
Hall, and the society now occupies a hall 
in the Y. M. C. A. building. 

Princeton. — A town fourteen miles 
north of Worcester. It was named in honor 
of Rev. Thomas Prince, and incorporated 
in 1771. The Fitchburg railroad passes 
through the town, which is much resorted 
to in the summer season, on account of its 
pure air and other rural attractions, the 
principal of which is Wachusett Mountain, 
noticed under its title in the Dictionary, 
Population of Princeton in 1885, 1,038. 

Printers.— The following is an incom- 
plete list of Worcester printers. Isaiah 
Thomas, the first, is well known ; he was in 
active business twenty-five years or more 
from 1775, and resided in the town till his 
death in 1831. His son and successor car- 
ried on the work of his father during the 
first years of the present century, but final- 
ly went to Boston and died there. Leon- 
ard Worcester, one of the elder Thomas's 
apprentices, had a printing office here be- 
fore 1800; he entered the ministry, and died 
in Peacham, Vt., after many years service. 
Daniel Greenleaf, another apprertice, print- 
ed some books here about 1800. Samuel 
Cotting was the first printer of the ^Jgis 
in 1801, and was followed by Henry Rogers. 
Isaac Sturtevant printed the Spy for the 
Thomases from 1806 to 1814. Coming down 
later, we find the following names, some 
of them with approximate dates: Charles 
Griffin, Samuel Morrill, Moses W. Grout, 
Wm. Manning, (1824), T. W. & J. Butter- 



field, (1839); Spooner & Merriam, Edwin 
C. Church, Mirick & Bartlett, Lewis Met- 
calf, (1842); R. B. Hancock, James M. 
Stone, Peter L. Cox, Church & Prentiss, 
Estey & Evans, (1840 to '50.) Many of these 
were newspaper printers, job printing not 
formerly having the importance it has to- 
day. Henry J. Howland is the oldest liv- 
ing printer, in point of time of service. He 
first came to Worcester in 1831, and per- 
manently settled here in 1835. He printed 
both editions of Lincoln's History of Wor- 
cester, the catalogue of the Library of the 
American Antiquarian Society, and other 
books; and established and for many years 
printed and published the Worcester Direc- 
tory. He was located for a long time in 
the old wooden building which stood where 
the Burnside building now is. One of his 
pressmen, James Carlisle by name, worked 
so long and pulled so many impressions on 
an old-fashioned hand press, that by the 
motion of his foot as he drew it over the 
floor, he wore through an ordinary deal 
board. Mr. Howland is still in the printing 
business, though not for himself. Asa B. 
Adams succeeded Mr. Howland, and was 
located many years at 392 Main street. Ed- 
ward R. Fiske, another well-known Worces- 
ter printer, is still in active life. He began 
business in 1841 in the old Central Ex- 
change, in company with Edwin C. Church, 
and was burned out at the time of the fire 
there. Mr. Fiske was located for many 
years in the building at the corner of Foster 
and Waldo streets, and was afterwards in 
Crompton's block on Mechanic street. 
Charles Hamilton has been a master print- 
er since 1849, located in the Central Ex- 
change. Some historical and genealogical 
books have been printed at his office, and 
of late years he has printed the City Docu- 
ments and the Directory. His manager, 
Benjamin J. Dodge, has been with him 
from the first. Tyler & Seagrave, who 
bought the Spy job office in 1861, were in 
business together over twenty years, most 
of the time at 442 Main street. They issued 
a large number and variety of books, be- 
sides executing much job work. After Mr. 
Tyler withdrew from the firm, he estab- 
lished the Mid- Weekly newspaper at Oxford 
this county, which he still publishes. Mr. 
Seagrave has lately retired from business. 
Of later firms, among the largest offices 
were Snow Brothers and their successors 
for some twenty years at 47 Main street. 
This establishment was recently broken up, 
and the machinery and materials sold to 
F. S. Blanchard & Co. O. B. Wood on 
Maple street has good facilities for job and 
other work, and Maynard, Gough & Co., 
187 Front street, print hotel registers and 
similar work. The publishers of this Dic- 
tionary, F. S. Blanchard & Co., succeeded 
to the business of Sargent & Wilson in 1880, 



71 



PEO— QUI 



and have probably the largest plant in 
the City and do an extensive publishing 
business in connection with book and job 
printing. Among their publications are 
the Practical Mechanic, Yankee Almanac 
and many special publications of an histo- 
rical nature for this and other cities. 

There are many other printers in Worces- 
ter who do business on a smaller scale than 
those above named, but a complete list 
cannot be expected here. 

Probate Court.— See Courts. 

Probate Registry.— See Registry. 

Prospect Hill.— The higher elevation 
north of Newton Hill, the southern slope of 
which is known as Sunnyside. 

Protective Department, (The Wor- 
cester) or Insurance Fire Patrol. — The 

needless destruction or injury of much 
valuable and fragile property in its hasty 
removal from Taylor's granite building at 
the time of the great fire of May, 1875, as 
well as the loss from theft, induced the 
formatiou of the Mutual Fire Association, 
composed of business and insurance men 
and others, who organized for the purpose 
of protecting and overseeing the removal 
of property at fires. Members of this as- 
sociation were provided with badges, and 
as special police had authority and were 
recognized by the Chief Engineer. James 
F. Meech was the first Captain, and George 
H. Harlow, Clerk and Treasurer. The as- 
sociation was continued about three years, 
and disbanded probably partly because 
there had been no large fires in the mean- 
time, and consequently little need of their 
services; and partly on account of the 
existence of the Insurance Fire Patrol, 
whose efficient presence at fires rendered 
the interference of any other organization 
with similar duties unnecessary. The 
Patrol was organized and incorporated in 
1875, and was at firt»t supported entirely by 
the insurance companies; but of late an an- 
nual grant towards its support has been 
made by the City, $1,200 being given the 
present year. The Patrol occupies a build- 
ing in Barton Place. The wagon, usually 
the first to reach a fire, is equipped with 
two Babcock extinguishers, 145 rubber 
covers, brooms, pails, sponges, etc. Many 
small fires are extinguished by the Patrol 
alone; and by the spreading of rubber 
covers and other precautions, many thous- 
and dollars 1 worth of property is saved 
yearly, and the Patrol many times repays 
the cost of its maintenance. The corpor- 
ation is composed of prominent insurance 
agents, with Charles B. Pratt as President. 
The duty force of the Patrol numbers 
eight. Hiram R. Williamson is Captain. 



The quarters of the Patrol in Barton place 
are handsomely furnished and equipped 
with many ingenious appliances for quick 
hitches at time of fires, which are of much 
interest to strangers. 

Protective Union, (New England), 
Division No. 43.— A popular and long- 
established grocery store, at No. 24 Front 
street. This store, established by the N. E. 
Protective Union, was first opened at the 
corner of Front and Carlton streets, Jan. 
25, 1848. The undertaking was on the joint 
stock plan, and has continued under that 
system to the present time, with Samuel 
A. Pratt as agent, this being his 42d year of 
service. The rent of the store first occu- 
pied was $90 a year. In 1850 the associa- 
tion moved to the east store in Horticultural 
Hall building, the rent of which was $500. 
Another " Union " store was started at the 
first location, but soon failed. Nov. 1, 1877, 
the present store was occupied. The busi- 
ness of the store amounts to $175,000 
annually. Edward I. Comins is president 
of the Union, and Theo. H. Bartlett, clerk. 

Psychology, (American Journal of). 

— A quarterly magazine, devoted to the 
publication of original papers on scientific 
psychology, both normal and abnormal, 
and to the reviewing of current literature, 
especially foreign literature on these sub- 
jects. It was begun by its present editor, 
G. Stanley Hall, in 1887, when professor of 
psychology in Johns Hopkins University, 
Baltimore, and was transferred to Worces- 
ter on his assumption of his duties as presi- 
dent of Clark University. 

Purgatory. — A remarkable cleft or 
chasm in the town of Sutton, some twelve 
miles from Worcester, which as a natural 
curiosity attracts many visitors. The 
geological formation here is a calcareous 
gneiss, and the rock is opened as if by an 
earthquake for the distance of nearly half 
a mile, sometimes to the depth of sixty 
or seventy feet. The huge masses of rock 
present a wild and picturesque appearance, 
and the gloomy recesses of the chasm were 
formerly the favorite haunt of the rattle- 
snake. At the lower end is a cool and clear 
spring. The most convenient way to reach 
the chasm from Worcester is by carriage 
over the highway. 

Quakers.— See Friends. 

Quinsigamond.— The Indian name of 
Worcester and the region around, by 
which the place was first known. It was 
applied particularly to the Lake, and the 
name is variously spelled in the old records, 
Quansicamug, Quansicamon, etc. Dr. J. 
Hammond Trumbull gives, in a letter to 



QUI— REA 



72 



Senator Hoar, the meaning of the word as 
follows: "Qunnosu or Quonnose (plural 
Qunnosuog) was the Indian name for pick- 
erel — literally 'long nose,' smd-amaug final, 
denotes a 'fishing place. 1 Qunnosuogamaug 
is 'pickerel fishing-place, 1 or where they 
fish for pickerel. 11 

Quinsigamond Boat Club.— See Boat 
Clubs. 

Quinsigamond Lake. — See Lake Quin- 
sigamond. 

Quinsigamond Park.— An island of 
96 acres at the south end of Lake Quinsig- 
amond, recently laid out in lots for build- 
ing. Full Moon Park and driving course 
occupy the center of the island. 

Quinsigamond Village. — A manufac- 
turing village on the Blackstone river in 
the south part of the city. A branch of 
the Washburn & Moen Wire Works is 
located at the village, and many Swedes 
are employed. There is a post office here. 

Raccoon Plain.— The level tract at 
South Worcester, in the vicinity of South- 
gate, Camp, and Cambridge streets, on 
which was located Camp Scott in war 
time. The name was given by the early 
proprietors of the township. 

Railroads.— The railroads coming to 
Worcester are : 

Boston & Albany; opened east, 1835; 
west, 1839. 

Fitchburg, formerly Boston, Barre & 
Gardner; opened 1871. 

New York dt New England, Norwich & 
Worcester Division; opened 1840. 

New York, Providence & Boston, form- 
erly Providence & Worcester; opened 1847. 

Boston & Maine, formerly Worcester, 
Nashua & Rochester; opened 1848. 

Worcester & Shrewsbury; opened 1873. 

See Street Railway. 

Railroad Stations.— The first railroad 
station in Worcester was located on Foster 
street in 1835, when the Boston & Worces- 
ter railroad commenced running. This 
building (several times enlarged) was used 
until 1877, when it was demolished, and the 
site is now covered by Bigelow's Garden 
and the Rink building The Norwich'and the 
Nashua and Boston, Barre & Gardner rail- 
roads also used this station. The Provi- 
dence railroad station before the Union 
station was erected, was on Green street, a 
structure of brick still standing, which has 
lately been used for religious meetings. 
The Union Passenger Station in Washing- 
ton square was erected by the Boston & 
Albany railroad. It was completed in 1875, 



and opened for use August 15th of that 
year. Here center all the steam railroads 
which enter Worcester, the only one whose 
tracks are not in the building being the 
Worcester & Shrewsbury, but this road 
terminates on Shrewsbury street within a 
stone's throw. The railroad stations in 
the limits of Worcester are given below, 
with the railroads using them: 

Barbels Crossing, Boston & Maine; 
Fitchburg. 

Bloomingdale, Worcester & Shrewsbury. 

Jamesville, Boston & Albany. 

Lake Station, Worcester & Shrewsbury. 

Lake View, 

Lincoln Square, Boston & Maine; Fitch- 
burg. 
' North Worcester, Fitchburg. 

Shrewsbury street, Worcester & Shrews- 
bury. 

South Worcester (Junction) Boston & 
Albany; Providence; Norwich. 

Summit, Boston & Maine. 

Ram Island. — The island at the cause- 
way, Lake Quinsigamond, on which the 
Island House is built. The name is found 
in the old records. 

Rainshorn Brook.— This stream flows 
from Ramshorn Pond in Sutton, and its 
course is generally north through Sutton 
and Auburn to Curtis Pond at New Worces- 
ter, where it joins other streams to form 
Middle river. 

Rattlesnake Rocks.— The ledge of 
rocks on the elevated land some distance 
west of Mill street, owned by Solomon Par- 
sons, who, many years ago, deeded the 
spot to the Almighty, and had the convey- 
ance, or a part of it, recorded on the flat 
surface of rock near the summit. He also 
built a sort of temple here. The Worcester 
Hermit lived in a stone hut at this place, in 
company with his cats and goats, ten or 
fifteen years ago. In early times these 
rocks abounded with rattlesnakes. 

Reading Rooms. — The Reading Room 
at the Free Public Library was opened in 
1865, and now contains nearly 300 reviews, 
magazines and papers. The Mechanics 
Association, the Young Men's Christian 
Association, and several other societies 
maintain reading rooms for the use of 
their members. There was a Reading 
Room Association in Worcester about 1830. 

Real Estate Values.— Many items of in- 
terest connected with real-estate transac- 
tions will be found scattered through the 
Dictionary. A few figures are given below 
which may be useful for comparison with 
present values. In 1846 or 1847 Anson Bra- 
man gave a bond for a deed of the new 



73 



EEC— EEF 



Post-Office lot, just south of Franklin 
Square, for $1, 800. (See Franklin Square 
for an earlier value, and Government Build- 
ing for price paid by the Post Office 
Department). The Trinity Church lot, at 
the corner of Main and Chandler streets, 
was offered in 1848 or '49 for $400. The 
church paid $25,000 for it with the improve- 
ments in 1870. 

The Barton estate, opposite the Common, 
where Taylor's granite building stands, 
was bought by Judge Barton in 1834 for 
$5,100. Mr. Taylor paid $37,500 for a little 
less than two-thirds of it in 1867. The estate 
of Nathaniel Maccarty north of Maple street, 
165 feet on Main street by 375 feet deep, 
was sold by auction in 1835 to Benjamin 
Butman and George Brinley for $12,000. The 
estate, at the north corner of Walnut street 
on Main, opposite Mechanics Hall, recently 
sold for nearly $12 per foot. Mr. David S. 
Messinger bought the lot at the corner of 
Chestnut and Walnut streets, where he now 
lives, of Gov. Lincoln in 1844, for five cents 
a foot. This was considered at the time an 
extravagant price . Mr. Messinger bought of 
Elisha Flagg the strip of land between Wil- 
liam and Bowdoin streets running west from 
Chestnut street to the meadows, 7 acres for 
$4,000. He sold about half of this at the 
lower end to Gov. Lincoln for $100 per 
acre. A second purchase of Flagg com- 
prised the square on Harvard street from a 
point opposite Bowdoin street on the north 
to Sudbury street on the south, and east to 
Eden street, for $10,000. Two lots at the 
south end he sold for 12 cents per foot. All 
this took place forty or more years ago. 
This article could be extended indefinitely, 
but the examples above given will suffice, 
as they refer to some of the most valuable 
and desirable estates in the City. 

Prominent operators in real estate years 
ago were Nathan Patch in the early part 
of the century; Benjamin Butman, David 
T. Brigham(1830 to '40), Levi Lincoln, Isaac 
Davis, John F. Pond (1840 and after), David 
S. Messinger, Col. James Estabrook, Eli 
Thayer, Francis H. Dewey, Joseph Mason 
and Samuel P. and Leonard Harrington. 

Records, (Public).— Following is a list 
of the volumes of public records in Wor- 
cester: 

Proprietors' 1 Records, 1667-1788, 1 volume. 

Town Records, 1722-1848, 7 volumes. 

Births, 1714-1889. 

Marriages from 1747. 

Deaths, 1717-1889. 

Marriage Intentions, 1796-1889. 

City Records, 1848-1889. 

The above are at the City Clerk's office, 
and generally in good condition. The Pro- 
prietors 1 Becords, and the Town Records 
from 1722 to 1783 have been printed by the 
Worcester Society of Antiquity, and those 



from 1784 to 1800 will be published within a 
year, the City sharing the expense with the 
Society. The Society has also printed the 
deaths to 1825. 

Of Church Records, those of the First or 
Old South are missing before April 5, 1745, 
and from Sept., 1790, to July 9, 1815. The 
records of the First Baptist Church before 
1831 were burned; and one volume of the 
Central Church records is missing. The 
Report on the Public Records of the State 
is incorrect in stating that the First Church 
records are complete from 1717, as there 
was no church before 1719, and two 
volumes are missing as above. 

Court Records at the office of the Clerk 
in the Stone Court House: 

Supreme Judicial Court, 1797 to 1889. 

Inferior Court of Common Pleas, 1731 to 
1782. 

Court of General Sessions, 1731 to 1805. 

Court of Sessions, 1808 to 1827. 

Court of Common Pleas, 1784 to 1859. 

Superior Court, 1859 to 1889. 

Marriages in the County, 1746 to 1794. 

Many volumes Miscellaneous Records. 

The Records of the Court of General Ses- 
sions, from 1731 to 1737, have been printed 
by the Worcester Society of Antiquity. 

The Deeds and Probate Records in their 
respective Registries are preserved from 
1731 to 1889. 

The volume of " Records of the Board, of 
Overseers of the Schools of the Center Dis- 
trict in Worcester,' 1 '' from 1831 to 1847, was 
found in Oxford in 1860, in the possession 
of a young woman, who was using it as a 
scrap book. The volume of Center District 
School Records, from 1824 to 1843, was 
found in some rubbish in the store form- 
erly occupied by Warren Lazell. The 
records from 1799 to 1848 were returned 
from the vault of the Worcester Bank. 

Red Mills.— The Red Mills, at first 
called Flagg's Mills, were located on the 
water privilege oa Green street, on the 
spot now covered by the Crompton Loom 
Works. A sash and blind manufactory 
was in operation there half a century ago. 

Red Men, (Improved Order of).— 

There are three Tribes of this order in 
Worcester, viz., Quinsigamond No. 7, or- 
ganized 1880; Iroquois, No. 8, organized 
1883, and Massasoit. 

Reform Club, (Worcester).— One of 
the most prominent and useful temperance 
organizations in the city, was organized 
in 1876. Its hall and club room for several 
years was at 460 Main street, but the club 
was recently removed to Clark's block on 
Front street, opposite the Soldiers' 1 monu- 
ment. William H. Robinson, is President. 



KEG— RIO 



74 



Registry of Deeds.— Located in the 
stone Court House. Some 1300 volumes of 
deeds are preserved here, dating from 1731 
when the county was formed. There is an 
index of grantors complete, and one of 
grantees nearly so. Harvey B. Wilder is 
Register. 

Registry of Probate. — In the stone 
Court House. The records are complete, 
including the Probate Court files, from 
1731. Each volume has an initial index. 
Frederic W. Southwick is Register. 

Representatives in Congress.— A list 
of the Members of Congress from the Wor- 
cester District is here given: 
Jonathan (Trout, Petersham, Anti-Fed., 1789-1791. 
Artemas Ward, Shrewsbury, Fed., 1791-1795. 
Dwight Foster, Brookfield, Fed.. 1795-1800. 
Levi Lincoln, Worcester, Dem., 1801. 
Seth Hastings, Mendon, Fed., 1801-1807. 
Jabez Upham, Brookfield, Fed., 1807-1810. 
Joseph Allen, Worcester, Fed., 1810-1811. 
Elijah Brigham, Westboro, Fed., 1811-1816. 
Benjamin Adams, Uxbridge, Fed., 1816-1821. 
Jonathan Russell, Mendon, Dem., 1821-1823. 
Jonas Sibley, Sutton, Dem., 1823-1825. 
John Davis, Worcester, Nat. Rep. and Whig, 

1825-1834. 
Levi Lincoln, Worcester, Whig, 1884-1841. 
Charles Hudson, Westminster, Whig, 1841-1849. 
Charles Allen. Worcester. Free Soil, 1849-1853. 
Alexander DeWitt, Oxford, Free Soil and K. N., 

1853-1857. 
Eli Thayer. Worcester, Rep., 1857-1861. 
Goldsmith F. Bailey, Fitchburg.Rep., 1861-1862. 
Amasa Walker, No. Brookfield, Rep., 1862-1863. 
John D. Baldwin, Worcester, Rep., 1863-1869. 
George F. Hoar, Worcester, Rep., 1869-1877. 
William W. Rice, Worcester, Rep., 1877-1887. 
John E. Russell, Leicester, Dem., 1887-1889. 
Joseph H. Walker, Worcester, Rep., 1889. 

Representatives in the General 

Court.— Worcester sends eight Represen- 
tatives to the Legislature — one from each 
ward. The districts in the county are de- 
termined by the County Commissioners 
evpry ten years, the last apportionment 
being made in 1886. 
Ward 1 forms the 16th District. 

" 2 " " 17th " 

" 3 " " 18th " 

" 4 " " 19th 

" 5 " " 20th " 

" 6 " " 21st 

" 7 " " 22nd " 

" 8 " " 23rd " 

Reservoir Hill.— See Chandler Hill: 
Bell Pond. 

Reservoirs.— The old reservoir on 
Chandler Hill, which stored the water from 
Bell Pond (q. v.), has been demolished re- 
cently. The reservoirs now in use are Bell 
Pond, Belmont street, Lynde Brook reser- 
voir in Leicester, Tatnuck Brook reservoir 
in Holden, and Hunt's reservoir on Leices- 
ter street. See Water Works. 



The dam at the Lynde Brook reservoir 
was carried away by a freshet, March 30, 
1876. The aggregate damages paid by the 
City, including the cost of the new dam, 
amounted to $227,000. 

Restaurants. — The principal restau- 
rants in Worcester are those of Putnam & 
Thurston at 381 Main street, Frank E. Mar- 
shall, 245 Front street; F. M. Marble, 9 
Mechanic street; the Park Cafe, Park street; 
the Commonwealth Cafe and C. Rebboli on 
Pleasant street. The latter and L. J. Za- 
honyi's, 348 Main street, are more especially 
ice-cream saloons. Other restaurants and 
eating houses are scattered over the city. 

Revenue District.— The Third Revenue 
District includes all the State of Massachu- 
setts. The Twelfth Division includes nearly 
the whole of Worcester County. The salary 
of the deputy collector is $1,400. The 
amount of revenue collected in this division 
is about $75,000 per year. 

Rhetorical Society.— The Young Men's 
Rhetorical Society was formed in 1849, and 
incorporated in 1853, its purpose being 
mental and moral improvement, by means 
of essays, debates, and various rhetorical 
exercises. In 1855 this Society joined with 
the Young Men's Library Association, and 
later was merged with the Lyceum and 
Library Association. In 1858 the Rhetori- 
cal Society withdrew, and renewed its active 
organization, which was kept up until 
within a few years. This society is credited 
with having had considerable influence in 
political matters in former years. 

Rifle Association.— The Worcester 
Rifle Association has a range on Heywood 
street. E. R. Shumway is president. 

Rink, (The),— See Bigelow''s Garden. 

Riots.— There have been several riots in 
Worcester, but the consequences, except in 
one instance, have not been serious. In 
1774 Hon. Timothy Paine was compelled to 
resign his office as mandamus councillor 
by a mob. In Shays' Rebellion times a mob 
from Uxbridge attempted to demolish the 
jail in Worcester, but were obliged to desist 
by their own townsmen. Stephen Bur- 
roughs asserts in his memoirs that he was 
released from imprisonment in Worcester 
by a mob of apparently a thousand. In 
July, 1807, there were two riotous demon- 
strations, in which a number of nominally 
reputable citizens took part, who were after- 
wards obliged to account for their misdoings 
before the courts. One was really a huge 
frolic, and the whole town turned out to 
witness the discipline administered to an 
offender against public morals. The culprit 



75 



ROM— SAL 



was carried through Front and Main streets 
" on a wooden rail, with much noise and 
clamor.'" The " Angel Gabriel " riot of 
May 18, 1854, assumed a serious aspect and 
the military were summoned, but happily 
the disturbance was quieted without loss of 
life. The Butman riot, October 30, 1854, 
was an outburst of popular indignation 
against Asa O. Butman, Deputy U. S. Mar- 
shal, who came to reclaim a fugitive slave ; 
and he was driven from the city with eggs 
and other missiles. On the 10th of June, 
1866, Henry T. Weikle, an inoffensive Ger- 
man, was killed in front of the Police Sta- 
tion by an officer who fired a shot into a 
mob after being hit with a stone. Weikle 1 s 
widow was paid $1000 by the city, and the 
officer imprisoned. . 

Roman Catholic Churches. — See 

Catholic Churches. 

Royal Arcanum.- Worcester Council, 
No. 12 was organized in 1887, and meets at 
Odd Fellows Hall. Conquest Council, No. 
915, meets at 405 Main street. 

Rural Cemetery. — See Cemeteries. 

Rutland. — A farming town twelve miles 
northwest of Worcester, incorporated in 
1713. The centre is at a high elevation, and 
a view not surpassed by that from Wachu- 
sett itself is to be had of the surrounding 
country. A fine hotel, the Muschopauge 
House, accommodates many summer 
boarders. The population of the town in 
1885, was 963. 

Safe Deposit Vaults.— There are two 
Safe Deposit companies in the city. The 
Worcester Safe Deposit and Trust Co., at 
448 Main street, was chartered in 1868 with 
a capital of $200,000. This company does 
a general banking business. Small safes 
can be rented from $10 to $50 per year. 
The State Safe Deposit Co., at 240 Main 
street, rent safes from $5 upward. This 
company was incorporated in 1887. 

Sagamore Point.— The most prominent 
headland in the southern part of Lake 
Quinsigamond. It was formerly called 
King's Point. 

Sagatabscot Hill.— The high ridge of 
land in the south of southeast part of the 
city the northern end of which is known as 
Union Hill. It was on this elevation that 
Diggory Sergeant was living when he was 
murdered by the Indians at the beginning 
of the eighteenth century. 

Saint Andrews Benefit Society, 

(Worcester).— A society of Scotchmen of 
the mutual benefit order, formed in 1871. 



St. Paul's Church, (Roman Catholic.) 

In August, 1866, Rev John J. Power pur- 
chased the Earle estate, the second lot 
south of Corbett (now Chatham) street, on 
Nobility Hill, with the purpose of erecting 
thereon a church edifice. A prominent 
Roman Catholic advanced $3,000 and Fr. 
Power gave his note for the balance. In 
January, 1867, a meeting of Catholics was 
held in Washburn hall, and $7,100 raised. 
About this time the project of cutting 
down Nobility Hill began to be agitated, 
and Mayor Blake protested against the 
erection of a church building in the man- 
ner first contemplated, and after some con- 
sideration it was proposed to change the 
plan so as to have the building front on 
High street, with the rear towards Main 
street. At this juncture the owner of the 
Rice lot at the corner of Corbett street 
offered to exchange his lot for the other, 
and the transfer was effected, the church 
securing the right to re-purchase the rear 
of the Earle estate— some 14,000 feet. It 
was finally decided that the edifice should 
be built as at present located, fronting on 
Chatham street. Ground was broken in 
the spring of 1868, and the corner stone 
was laid July 4. 1869. Since this time the 
building has progressed by stages until 
the completion of the steeple or tower in 
September, 1889, the latter remaining un- 
finished many years after the body of the 
church was completed. St. Paul's is the 
finest structure used for religious purposes 
in Worcester. It is of Gothic architecture, 
built entirely of granite, 185 feet long, 90 
broad, with a basement of 16 feet in the 
clear, under the entire church. A superb 
marble statue of St. Paul, of heroic size, 
procured through Randolph Rogers, from 
Rome, the gift of Mrs. Geo. Crompton, was 
raised and placed on a pedestal in front of 
the church, July 4, 1874, with imposing 
ceremonies. 

Salem Square.— East of the Common, 
between Front and Park streets. The 
ground here was formerly at a much high- 
er elevation, and was known as Baptist 
Hill, on account of the location on the east 
of the first Baptist Church. The square 
was graded to its present level in 1867, at 
an expense of $4,173.28. The public wood 
and hay market is established here, but 
probably will soon be removed to some other 
place. 

Salisbury Pond.— The small sheet of 
water off Grove street and north of Insti- 
tute Park, which forms a part of its shores. 
Ice cutting operations are largely carried on 
here during the winter. This pond was 
formed by damming Mill Brook, and served 
as a reservoir of the water power for the 
first wire-factory built about 1835 where 



SAL— SCH 76 






the extensive Washburn & Moen wire mill 
now stands. 

Salaries.— The salaries of city officers 
■are given below: 

Mayor, $2,500. 

City Clerk, 2,000. 

» Treasurer, 3,200 j. ^^ 

" Engineer, 2,700. 

Solicitor, 3,000. 

Physician, 1,200. 

Auditor, 1,400. 

Messenger, 900. 

Chief Engineer, 1,700. 

Water Commissioner, 1,800. 

Registrar, 1,500' 

Supt. Buildings, 1,800. 

One Assessor, 1,800. 

Two " each, 1,500. 
Inspector Board 

of Health, 1,100. 

Supt. of Schools, 3,300. 
Principal High School, 3,000. 
Librarian, Public 

Library, 3,000. 

Salvation Army.— The Salvation Army 
began an active campaign in Worcester, 
with a public meeting in Mechanics Hall 
Sunday, Nov. 16, 1884. The next evening, 
having taken up quarters in the old Provi- 
dence railroad station, on Green street, a 
serious disturbance occurred, the building 
being surrounded by the denizens of that 
region, who resented this invasion of their 
bailiwick, and manifested their displeasure 
by throwing cobble stones, railroad iron, 
and other missiles through the windows. 
After a time the Army removed to a hall 
on Church street, where for a year or two 
the work of salvation was carried on with 
only an occasional interference from the 
unruly element. The present head-quar- 
ters of the American Army are in Stock- 
weirs Block on Mechanic street. A branch 
of the English Army is located in the 
Chase building on Front street. Evening 
and Sunday parades and frequent street 
meetings are held. 

Savings Banks.— See Banks. 

Sanctuary, (The) .—A secluded inlet on 
the Shrewsbury shore of Lake Quinsiga- 
mond, north or the causeway, the narrow 
entrance to which is known as Cold Spring. 
The name was applied by T. W. Higginson. 

Scales, (Public) .—Public scales are loca- 
ted in Lincoln, Salem (soon to be moved) 
and Webster squares, on Mason street, at 
the corner of Tufts, and at Quinsigamond 
Village. The latter have not been used of 
late. Weighers are appointed annually 



by the Mayor and Aldermen, and receive 
half the fees. 

Scalpintown. — A name formerly ap- 
plied to the locality at the lower end of 
Gold street, or across the railroad from 
the end of Madison street. In police circles 
the name has an especial significance in 
bringing to mind former desperate strug- 
gles with the rough element of that region. 

Scavenger Department.— House offal, 
swill and other refuse, is collected by teams 
from the City Farm. The effects of this 
department are valued at $11,674, and the 
amount appropriated for expenses in 1889 
was $12,000. 

Schools, (Parochial.)— According to a 
statement published in the Boston Adver- 
tiser of November 12, 1889, the result of 
careful enumeration, there are in Massa- 
chusetts 39,301 pupils in parochial schools, 
as against 178,097 in the public schools of 
the cities and towns in which parochial 
schools are maintained. Rev. Fr. Fitton, 
the first Catholic priest in Worcester, had 
a parochial school in 1837 which numbered 
90 pupils, and he petitioned the town school 
committee for an appropriation of money 
to maintain it. About 1874 a large school 
house was erected by the Irish Catholics, 
and a parochial school opened. Five or 
six years later a French school was estab- 
lished. In 1888 a boys 1 school was opened 
by the order of the Christian Brothers from 
Ireland. At present there are three paro- 
chial schools in the city, namely: St. 
John's, (Irish) with two houses and 842 
pupils; Christian Brothers (Irish), 170 pu- 

Eils; and St. Anne's (French), with three 
ouses and 923 pupils. Total number of 
pupils 1,935. About half of the French- 
Canadian children in the city attend paro- 
chial schools on account of the French 
language being taught. 

Schools, (Private.)— There are several 
excellent Private Schools in Worcester. 
The following are well-known: Mrs. Mor- 
gan's School and Kindergarten, in the Y . M. 
C. A. building; Mr. Charles E. Fish's 
School for Boys, at 66 West street; Mrs. 
Throop's, 137 Pleasant street; and the 
School of English Speech, conducted by 
Mrs. Cutter and Mrs. Woodford, at 18 
Belmont street. 

Schools and School Houses.— The 
present number (Oct. 1889) of pupils in the 
Public schools of Worcester is 11,991; and 
some 300 teachers are employed. Number 
of school houses, 47; number of rooms, 
290. There are 228 schools, including even- 
ing schools. Amount appropriated for the 
support of schools in 1889, $268,000, and 






77 



SCH— SEN 



$60,000 additional for the construction of 
new houses. Value of school houses and 
lots, $1,043,150, and of other school proper- 
ty, $123,000. Drawing, music and book- 
keeping are taught by special instructors. 
The public schools are under the control 
and direction of a committee of twenty- 
four— three from each ward ; and the Mayor 
is ex officio chairman of the Board . One 
third of the committee retire annually, and 
are replaced by those newly elected. The 
Superintendent of Schools is the agent of 
the School Committee, and is subject to 
their direction, all matters of importance 
being determined by vote of the Board. 
There is also a secretary whose duty it is 
to keep a record of the proceedings of the 
meetings, compile statistics, etc. 

Promotions in the schools are now made 
in accordance with an original plan adopt- 
ed six or eight years ago. Promotion in 
all the classes is made by the teacher with 
the advice and approval of the principal. 
It depends upon the work and progress of 
the pupil for a stated period. Written ex- 
aminations are held in all the grades 
several times during the year; the result of 
these may influence, but it does not deter- 
mine promotion, which rests not as former- 
ly upon a single examination, for which 
the pupil has been crammed. It is the 
average of a pupil during the year, and not 
a final test, that ensures his advance. This 
plan was discussed at a recent meeting of 
the New England School Superintendents 1 
Association, and adopted by them as advis- 
able ; and the plan has been substantially 
adopted in several of the large western 
cities. The division of the schools into 
classes has obviated to a great extent the 
tendency to mecbanical work common to 
the graded system, and gives greater 
opportunity for individual teaching. Wor- 
cester schools were the first in which 
drawing was taught, and this is the founda- 
tion of all the much discussed manual 
training of to-day. 

School Superintendents. — The or- 
dinance authorizing the School Board 
to appoint a Superintendent of Public 
Schools, passed the City Council in 
November, 1856. Previous to this time the 
School Board had the direct supervision of 
the schools through its individual members, 
who were paid one dollar for each visit 
made; and it was thought that the appoint- 
ment of a superintendent at a stated salary 
would save money to the city. In Decem- 
ber, 1856, Rev. George Bushnell, who had 
been pastor of the Salem Street Congrega- 
tional Church, was elected superintendent, 
and entered upon his duties at the begin- 
ning of 1857. Contrary to the general ex- 
pectation the expenses of the schools that 
year were considerably increased, and some 



opposition to the continuance of the office 
of superintendent, (in which the Mayor, 
Isaac Davis, joined), was manifested in the 
committee, and in consequence Mr. Bush- 
nell resigned in May, 1858. After a year, 
during which the Board again had the 
direct charge of the schools, Rev. John 
Davis Edmands Jones, formerly pastor of 
the First Baptist Church, was elected super- 
intendent, and held the office from May, 
1859, to some time in 1865. Samuel V. Stone 
was acting superintendent for a few 
months until the election of P. Bernard 
Chenoweth, who served from 1865 to 1868. 
He was succeeded by Albert Prescott Mar- 
ble, who has continued in office to the 
present time. Previous to his service 
as superintendent Mr. Marble was prin- 
cipal of the Worcester Academy, and 
master of the Dix street school. In his 
present position he has gained an extended 
reputation, and received high honors. In 
1881 the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 
was conferred on him by Colby University; 
and in 1888 he was elected president of the 
National Educational Association. Dr. 
Marble is the author of various pamphlets, 
lectures, and magazine articles, mostly on 
educational topics. 

Schoolmasters' Club, (The).— A club 
composed of the grammar-school masters 
of the city and Mr. Charles F. Adams, a 
teacher at the Normal School. Joseph Jack- 
son is president. The purpose of the club 
is mutual improvement in school work^nd 
management; and several pamphlets have 
been printed to elucidate methods of teach- 
ing. The Superintendent of Schools, and 
the Principals of the High and Normal 
Schools are honorary members of the club. 

Scotch.— According to a competent au- 
thority there are in Worcester from five 
to six hundred natives of Scotland. The 
Sons of Scotia is an active social organi- 
zation which meets at St George's Hall. 

Second Advent Church.— See Advent - 
ists. 

Secret Societies. — See under the titles 
Masonic Societies; Odd Fellows; Knights 
of Pythias; and others in the Dictionary. 

Senatorial Districts, (State).— There 

are forty Senatorial Districts in the Com- 
monwealth. The First Worcester District 
comprises Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, of the 
City of Worcester. The Fourth Worcester 
District, Wards 2 and 3 of the City of Wor- 
cester, the City of Fitchburg, and the 
towns of Holden, Lancaster, Leominster^ 
Lunenburg, Princeton, Sterling, West 
Boylston and Westminster. 



SEN-SEW 



78 



Senators (United States) from Wor- 
cester. — John Davis was elected a United 
States Senator in 1835 and served till 1841; 
was reelected in 1845, and retired in 1853. 
George F. Hoar, elected in 1877, is now 
serving his third term. Levi Lincoln, Gov- 
ernor from 1825 to 1834, would have been 
chosen a Senator in 1827 had he not posi- 
tively declined in favor of Daniel Webster, 
which action opened to the latter the 
opportunity to make his famous anti-nulli- 
fication speech in reply to Hayne. 

Sheriffs.— Following is a list of the Sher- 
iffs of Worcester County, from its incorpo- 
ration in 1731 to the present time: 

Daniel Gookin was the first Sheriff, and 
died in office in June, 1743. He was a grand- 
son of the famous General Gookin. Benja- 
min Flagg held the office from 1743 to 1751, 
and was succeeded by John Chandler, who 
served until 1762. Gardner Chandler was 
the incumbent until the Revolution began 
in 1775. Simeon Dwight of Western was 
Sheriff for three years till 1778, and was 
followed by William Greenleaf, who in 1788 
was impeached and removed for miscon- 
duct and maladmiustration, principally 
financial delinquencies. His trial was held 
in Faneuil Hall, Boston. The next in order 
was John Sprague of Lancaster, to 1792. 
Dwight Foster of Brookfield, who was after- 
wards Member of Congress and United 
States Senator, served one year, and was 
succeeded by William Caldwell of Rutland. 
The latter resigned in 1805 and died soon 
after. Thomas Walter Ward of Shrews- 
bury, a son of Gen. Artemas Ward, was 
Sheriff from 1805 to 1824. Calvin Willard 
held the office twenty years to 1844, and re- 
signed, it is said, rather than hang Thomas 
Barrett, his experience in executing the 
law on Horace Carter in 
pleasantly affected him. 
served from 1844 to 1851. 
his strict construction 
James Estabrook was the next incumbent, 
and was succeeded in 1854 by George W. 
Richardson. By change of the law, the 
Sheriff after this date was chosen by popu- 
lar vote, and John S. C. Knowlton was 
elected in 1856, and continued in office from 
1857 until his death in 1871. Augustus B. R, 
Sprague was Mr. Knowlton's successor, 
and has served to the present time. Samuel 
D. Nye, just elected, will assume the duties 
in January, 1890. 

Sewerage.— There were in Worcester at 
the beginning of 1889 over 68 miles of 
sewers, which had cost $2,484,103. This 
does not include the new "outfall 11 sewer, 
the beginning of the proposed purification 
system. The construction of the present 
system of sewerage was begun in 1867, 
under powers given by a special Act of the 



1825, having un- 

John W. Lincoln 

He was noted for 

of the law. Col. 



Legislature passed in March, 1867, and 
accepted by vote of the citizens April 16, of 
the same year. Under this act the city 
acquired the right to appropriate certain 
water courses recommended in a report of 
a special committee appointed to consider 
the matter, made to the city council in 
Oct., 1866. These "main channels 11 com- 
prised the following: Mill Brook, Grove 
street to Green street, 9420 in its circuitous 
path, or 8,437 feet in a more direct line. 
This it was calculated would drain 1,552 
acres in the city; and its water shed north 
of Grove street was computed at 5,024 acres. 
Lincoln Brook, 13,556 in length, rising 
north of Highland street, and flowing gen- 
erally south to New Worcester. This is the 
natural outlet for the sewerage in the 
western part of the city. Austin street 
Brook, about 2,818 feet in length, rising in 
Clinton street, and flowing southeast to 
Mill Brook below Fox's mills. Hermitage 
Brook, 5,090 feet in length, rising in the 
northerly part of the city, and flowing 
parallel with Hanover street to Laurel 
street, with a water shed of 400 acres. 
Piedmont Brook, 4,677 feet in length, rising 
near Pleasant street, between Piedmont 
and Sever streets, and flowing to Mill 
Brook, below Fox's mills. Pine Meadow 
Brook, 4,356 feet in length, rising near 
Shrewsbury street, aud entering Mill Brook 
near Water street. The walling of Mill 
Brook, as the main sewer, was commenced 
at Green street in May 1867, and was sub- 
stantially completed to Lincoln square 
in 1870,-2,238 feet open and 3669 feet 
arched. The first sewers were laid in the 
streets in August, 1867. The expense of 
the main sewer was included in the general 
tax, and the estates of abutters were as- 
sessed to pay for the street sewers, a meth- 
od that caused much dissatisfaction and 
grumbling. At first the estates were as- 
sessed according to the number of square 
feet, but now the assessment is for lineal 
feet of sewer. The system of sewers has 
been extended from year to year, over five 
miles being laid in 1888. Some ten years 
ago the pollution of the stream below 
Quinsigamond Village by the sewage of 
the city began to cause complaint in Mill- 
bury and other places on the Blackstone 
river, and after several years' agitation of 
the subject, the Legislature in June, 1886, 
passed an Act requiring the City of 
Worcester to purify its sewage within 
four years (by June, 1890) by some 
method not specified, before discharg- 
ing it beyond city limits. In 1888 the 
Joint Standing Committee recommended 
the construction of an " Outfall Sewer, 11 
from the end of the present sewer at 
Quinsigamond Village, to the land selected 
for the final treatment of the sewage 
before passing it into the stream below. 



79 



SHE— SOL 



$75,000 has been appropriated to be expen- 
ded by the City Engineer in the attempt to 
meet the requirements of the Act of 1886. 

Shrewsbury. — A town adjoining Wor- 
cester on the east, and 5 miles distant. It 
was incorporated in 1727. There is no rail- 
road in the town. Population in 1885, 1,450. 

Sidewalks. — The first brick sidewalk in 
Worcester was laid front of the Blackstone 
Hotel, corner Main and Thomas streets, by 
Ezra B. Lovell. In 1828 the owners of real 
estate on the east side of Main street agreed 
to lay a brick sidewalk from the Jail at 
Lincoln Square to the Town House. One- 
half was completed by the first of Septem- 
ber. The average width was over ten feet, 
and the whole expense was about $4,000. 
The Town appropriated the same year 
$1,600 towards improving Main street, in 
paving gutters, etc. 

The sidewalks in Worcester are generally 
of brick, though concrete is used to some 
extent. On Main and Front streets granite 
slabs have been placed in front of a few of 
the modern built blocks, and the space un- 
der the sidewalk excavated and utilized for 
storing coal, etc. 

The Worcester City ordinances require 
that snow which ceases to fall before 6 a.m. 
shall be removed before noon of the same 
day; and if it ceases to fall before 4 p.m. it 
shall be removed within four hours. Neg- 
lect subjects the owner or occupant to 
arrest and fine. 

Single Tax League.— The doctrines of 
Henry George have received some consid- 
eration in Worcester, and a Single Tax 
League has been organized. Thomas J. 
Hastings, treasurer of the Co-operative 
Banks, was one of the prime movers, and 
will undoubtedly give information to in- 
quirers. 

Sinking Fund.— Established by an ordi- 
nance passed July 24, 1871. The purpose 
of this fund is to provide for the payment 
of the city debt. $30,000 is appropriated 
annually from balances in the treasury, 
money received from sales of real estate 
belonging to the city, and certain other 
monies, to be applied towards the reduc- 
tion of the city debt. Amount of the sink- 
ing fund Dec. 1, 1888, was $1,014,659.07. 
See City Debt. 

Small-pox Hospital.— The Small-pox 
Hospital has for some years been located 
on the Poor Farm. A new building has re- 
cently been erected at a safe distance north 
of the Almshouse, for use as a pest house. 
There were seven cases of small-pox in 
Worcester during the year 1888. 



Soldiers' Monument. — The first action 
towards the erection of a Soldiers' Monu- 
ment was taken by the City Council in 
1866, in the appointment of a committee, 
which cooperated with a citizens' commit- 
tee of 25, chosen at a public meeting held 
in Mechanics' Hall, Feb. 10, 1867. Hon. 
James B. Blake, the Mayor, was made 
chairman of this committee, and Hon. 
George W. Richardson, treasurer. The 
members actively canvassed the city, and 
in September, a fund of $11,242 was re- 
ported as the result of the subscriptions. 
A new committee was chosen to select a 
site and a design, and carry out the pur- 
pose in the erection of a monument. Mayor 
Blake, noted for his advocacy of lavish 
expenditure, favored the acceptance of a 
design of an arch, prepared by Messrs. 
Gambrill & Richardson of New York, pre- 
tentiously set forth as similar in character 
to the "Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, at 
Paris." The arch was to be placed at the 
intersection of the principal paths on the 
Common, or perhaps over Main street, at a 
cost of $90,000. This proposition was re- 
jected by popular vote in December, 1868. 
Nothing further was done till September, 
1871, and in the meantime Mayor Blake 
died, and Mr. George Crompton was placed 
at the head of the committee, which pro- 
ceeded to definite action, and employed 
Mr. Randolph Rogers to prepare a design 
for a monument. He in due time offered 
one which met the approval of the com- 
mittee, and was accepted by vote of mem- 
bers of the Grand Army Post. This design 
was for a monument 52 feet in height, of 
granite and bronze, nearly like the one 
erected, but the plan was changed some- 
what, so that the monument as it stands is 
65 feet high. The funds had by this time 
accumulated to $15,000; and the city was 
asked to appropriate $35,000 to meet the 
whole cost, $50,000, which was done. The 
monument was completed and dedicated 
July 15, 1874. The occasion was appropri- 
ately observed by a military celebration, 
and the procession, under command of 
Gen. Josiah Pickett, included the City 
Government and guests, veterans of the 
war, nearly all the Grand Army Posts in 
the county, with numerous societies and 
lodges, and the Fire Department. The old 
State Guard paraded for the last time. At 
the monument addresses were made by 
George Crompton, Esq., ex-Gov. Bullock, 
Gen. Devens and Mayor Edward L. Davis; 
and Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas read an 
original poem. Vice-President Wilson and 
Gen. Burnside were present. $7,000 was 
voted by the City Council to defray the 
expenses of the dedication. The design of 
the monument is generally satisfactory, 
but its location is unfortunate, planted in 
the swale at the lower end of the Common. 



SOX— SPY 



80 



It is, however, in full view in coming up 
Front street, though the Goddess of Peace 
turns her back to the stranger as he enters 
the city. The center of the Common would 
have furnished a much better site. 

Song of Veterans.— See Grand Army. 

South Ledge. — The granite ledge which 
crops out near Quinsigamond Village. A 
quarry is open on Ballard street, and is 
owned by John S. Ballard & Co. 

South. Worcester — The locality south 
of the Boston & Albany railroad, extend- 
ing from Quinsigamond avenue to New 
Worcester. The junction is now known as 
the South Worcester station. 

Sovereigns of Industry. — This order 
is now practically dead, though in a few 
localities organizations are nominally in 
existence. Active work ceased in Worces- 
ter several years ago. The Sovereigns 1 
Cooperative Grocery Store, {See Co-opera- 
tion) was established under the auspices of 
the order, but now has no connection with 
it. In 1878 the following Councils were 
active in Worcester: Citizens Council, No. 
2; Harmony Council, No. 29; and Webster 
Square Council, No. 54. 

Spiritualists.— The Worcester Associa- 
tion of Spiritualists was organized in 1879, 
and holds meetings at Continental Hall 
Sundays, except during: July and AugUbt. 
A gymnasium is maintained by the Society. 
Woodbury C. Smith is President. 

There are many Spiritualists in Worces- 
ter who do not openly avow themselves as 
such, some of whom occupy a high social 
position. The belief in Spiritual doctrines ap- 
pears to have increased in a great measure 
during the past decade, and has even pen- 
etrated into churches of all denominations. 
Spiritualist meetings were held in Worces- 
ter more than thirty years ago. 

Sportsmen's Cluh.— The Worcester 
Sportsmen's Club was organized in 1874. 
Gilbert J. Rugg is President. 

Spy, (The).— The Massachusetts Spy was 
established in Boston in 1770 by Isaiah 
Thomas, and at once became the leading 
organ of the patriot cause. Just before the 
battle of Lexington it was removed by the 
proprietor to Worcester, he having the aid 
of Gen. Joseph Warren, Col. Timothy Bige- 
low and others in getting his types and 
press out of Boston. After a suspension of 
three weeks, it re-appeared on the 3d of 
May, 1775, and a copy of the impression of 
that date in the library of the American 
Antiquarian Society bears Mr. Thomas's 
certificate that it was the first thing ever 



printed in Worcester. In 1776 Mr. Thomas 
resigned the paper into the hands of David 
Bigelow and William Stearns, and the next 
year they were succeeded by Anthony Has- 
well; but the founder of the paper resumed 
its management in 1778. In 1786, in conse- 
quence of the stamp duty imposed on 
newspapers, the Spy publication was sus- 
pended, and the Worcester Magazine, in 
octavo form, appeared in its stead until 
April 3, 1788, when the original form and 
name were restored. Isaiah Thomas and 
son published the paper in 1799, and two or 
three years later the senior Thomas retired 
from business, and Isaiah Thomas, Jr., was 
the nominal owner and publisher for the 
next ten years. William Sheldon, a native 
of England, edited the Spy in 1809-10, and 
during the period of the troubles and war 
with Great Britain the paper was intensely 
Federal in tone, and bitterly hostile to the 
Government at Washington. In 1810 James 
Elliott, a Philadelphia lawyer, came to 
Worcester, and opened an office for the 
practice of his profession. October 17 of 
that year the Spy was leased to him for a 
term of years, and his name placed at the 
head of its columns as editor and proprie- 
tor. But his federalism was of too mild a 
type to suit this community at that time, 
and Thomas was induced to rescind the 
agreement, taking the paper into his own 
hands again in February, 1811. Isaac Stur- 
tevant published the Spy from Aug. 12, 
1812, and was succeeded by William Man- 
ning in Oct., 1814. The office was then in 
Lincoln Square (then called the Public 
Square), but in December, was removed to 
its original location on Court Hill. John 
Davis, afterwards Governor and U. S. Sen- 
ator, edited the Spy for a short time just 
after his graduation from college. In 1819 
William Manning and George A. Trumbull 
purchased the Spy property of Isaiah 
Thomas, senior, and in December, 1820, the 
office was removed to the corner of Main 
and Thomas streets. In Jan., 1822, Man- 
ning & Trumbull dissolved ; and William 
Manning and his son, Samuel B., continued 
until the following July, when the son 
withdrew. The fortunes of the Spy were 
now failing, and for a number of years its 
destiny was uncertain. Following the 
course of its party out of the intensity of 
Federalism, through the Era of Good Feel- 
ing, and into the vacuity that came after, 
its supporters fell away, one by one, sim- 
ply through lack of interest, and the paper 
was well nigh stranded. Geo. A. Trumbull 
came into possession again Aug. 13, 1823, 
and soon after a company was formed, or 
perhaps its creditors took possession, for 
in November Charles Griffin began to print 
the Spy "for the proprietors,' 1 and the 
office was removed to the brick building 
opposite the Central Church in June, 1824. 



81 



SQU— STA 



John Milton Earle and Anthony Cbase with 
others were interested at this time in the 
ownership. In 1827 Samuel H. Colton was 
associated with the others, and the paper 
was published by "S. H. Colton & Co." 
Pecuniary troubles continued to threaten 
its existence, and in 1829 it was advertised 
for sale by Simeon Burt, who appears to 
have been one of the " proprietors ** before 
mentioned. The office was removed to the 
opposite side of Main street in 1831. John 
Milton Earle took charge of the publication 
in 1835, and continued to edit and publish 
the paper until his failure in 1858. Thomas 
Drew was associated with him as partner 
from 1850. July 24, 1845, the Daily Spy was 
first issued, and soon over-balanced the 
weekly in importance. Mr. Earle was a 
Quaker, and introduced the form of ex- 
pression in dating the weekly as First 
Month, Second Month, etc., instead of Jan- 
uary, February, etc. In politics he was a 
Whig, but influenced by the brothers George 
and Charles Allen, changed his paper into an 
organ of the Free Soil element in 1848, after 
he had announced his intention of support- 
ing the Whigs. Probably this course 
did not contribute to the pecuniary advan- 
tage of the Spy. At all events, it was 
afterwards evident that Mr. Earle was not 
a successful financier, though a man of the 
purest principles and high abilities as an 
editor. In business management his part- 
ner, Mr. Drew, was no better, and matters 
went from bad to worse, till in 1858 the 
liabilities of the establishment in excess of 
its assets compelled a refuge in insolvency. 
In October of that year the property of the 
Spy was purchased of the creditors by 
Foss & Farnum, the former one of the pub- 
lishers of the Woonsocket Patriot in Rhode 
Island. The office and types were removed 
from the Butman Block to the ''Printers' 
Exchange, 11 the building which stands on 
the west corner of Foster and Waldo 
streets, where the forms were set, and for a 
year or more taken daily in a hand-cart or 
on a sled back to the old building to be 
printed. 

The Spy supported Charles Allen for 
Congress in 1848, and as long as he remained 
there; and in 1852 advocated the election of 
Alexander DeWitt as a candidate of the 
Free Democracy. It did not countenance 
the Know-Nothing movement, but trusting 
in the well-known anti-slavery principles of 
Col. DeWitt acquiesced in his accepting the 
nomination of that party in 1854. In 1856, 
however, when he attempted to run against 
a pronounced Republican, it resolutely de- 
nounced him. From that time the Spy has 
unreservedly sustained the principles of the 
Republican Party. 

The connection of Foss & Farnum with 
the Sgy was only of about four months' 
duration; and on the 18th of March, 1858, 

6 



the paper passed into the possession of 
John D. Baldwin, who associated with him- 
self in its management his sons, John S 
and Charles C, and it has been conducted 
by them to the present time, the two 
brothers continuing after the death of their 
father in July, 1883. The office was moved 
back to Butman Block in Jan., 1860, and 
remained there till the completion of the 
Spy Building, opposite the City Hall, in 
1867. In July, 1888, a radical change was 
made in the form of the paper from a four 
to an eight page issue; and at this time the 
publication of the Sunday Spy began, the 
first number appearing July 22. Hon. 
John D. Baldwin was the editor of the Sity 
until his death. Delano A. Goddard was 
assistant editor from 1859 to 1868, and was 
succeeded by J. Evarts Greene, who is now 
editor-in-chief. The Spy is the fourth old- 
est newspaper in the country. 

Squantum Festivals.— Social and coa- 
vival gatherings held at Long Pond yearly 
about the period 1820 to 1830, by certain 
citizens of Worcester distinguished by their 
epicurean propensities and love of good fel- 
lowship. 

Squares, (Public) .—The most important 
are mentioned below: 

Adams Square, Junction of Lincoln and 
Burncoat streets. 

Armory Square, front of Armory, be- 
tween Salisbury and Grove streets. 

Elm Square, (See Grafton square.) 

Franklin Square, junction of Main and 
Southbridge streets. 

Grafton Square, junction of Grafton, 
Orient and Hamilton streets. 

Grant Square, bounded by Harrington 
avenue, Mt. Vernon place, Windsor and 
Mt. Vernon streets. 

Hamilton Square, bounded by Prescott, 
Otis and Lexington streets. 

Lincoln Square, where Main, Highland, 
Salisbury, Lincoln, Belmont, Summer and 
Union streets center. 

Stearns Square, junction of Southbridge 
and College streets. 

Washington Square, east end of Front 
street, at Union Passenger Station. 

Webster Square, at New Worcester. 

See the different titles in the Dictionary. 

Stages.— A Leicester Stage leaves 8 Fos- 
ter Street at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. daily. 
Saturdays at 9 p.m. One for Paxton leaves 
18 Mechanic Street at 4.25 p.m. The 
Shrewsbury stage leaves 24 Front Street at 
10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. 

The Marlborough stage, which had heen 
run over the route for more than one hun- 
dred years, was discontinued in the fall of 
1888. 



STA— STR 



82 



Star and Crescent, (Order of the).— Su- 
preme Council meets quarterly. Ionia 
Lodge was organized in 1888. 

State Guard.— In May, 1861, the Home 
Guards were organized, consisting of the 
honorary and past members of the Wor- 
cester Light Infantry. This company was 
composed mostly of elderly men, and per- 
formed escort duty, attended soldiers 1 fu- 
nerals, etc., until June 17, 1863, when it 
was reorganized as the State Guard, and 
continued as an active company until 1874, 
its last public appearance being at the 
dedication of the Soldiers monument July 
15, of that year. 

Stationary Engineers. — Worcester 
Association, No. 4, was organized in 1882, 
and meets every Thursday evening at 302 
Main street. 

Stearns Square.— The terminus of the 
horse railway at South Worcester, at the 
junction of College and Southbridge streets. 

Stenographers' Association, (Wor- 
cester County) .—Organized in 1887, and 
meets at 339 Main Street. 

Stocks and Pillory.— See under Whip- 
ping Post. 

Stone House Hill.— A hill some distance 
north of the village of Tatnuck, to which 
certain tories retired before the Revolution, 
and erected a small stone fort. 

Storage.— The upper story of Cromp- 
ton's Block, on Mechanic street, is used 
exclusively for storage purposes, and is di 
vided into pens which can be hired for a 
small sum each per month. The Worces- 
ter Storage Co. has a fire-proof building at 
29 Gold street court, for the safe keeping 
of furniture, merchandise and other prop- 
erty. 

Street Guide: — 

Abbott, Pleasant to Tufts. 

Adams, Shrewsbury to Belmont. 

JEtna, Providence to Cutler. 

Agate avenue, from Lake avenue south. 

Agawam, from 1022 Main street. 

Agricultural, Elm to Sunnyside. 

Aitchison, Shrewsbury to Plantation. 

Albany, Muskeego to Putnam Lane. 

Albert, from Grand. 

Alden, Castle to Oread place. 

Allen, Main to Mt. Pleasant. 

Alvarado avenue, from Belmont. 

Ames, from Vernon. 

Anna, Locust avenue to Coburn avenue. 

Anne, from Taft. 

Apricot, from Leicester. 

Ararat, Brooks to Brattle. 



Arch, Summer to Carroll. 

Arlington, Columbia to Winthrop. 

Armandale, Leicester to Apricot. 

Ascension, Bloomingdale to Orient. 

Ash, Green to Washington. 

Ash avenue, Houghton to Grafton. 

Ashland, Pleasant to Elm. 

Ashton, Sturges to Lincoln avenue. 

Assonet, from Plymouth. 

Asylum, Mulberry to Summer. 

Auburn, Kendall to Catharine. 

Austin, Main to Dewey. 

Autumn, from Baker. 

Bailey, from Pleasant. 

Baker, from Lake. 

Ball, from Baker. 

Ballard, Millbury to Quinsigamond Village. 

Barbour, Hollywood to Dewey. 

Barclay, Grafton to Union avenue. 

Batchelder, Union avenue to Jefferson. 

Bates, from Lyon. 

Bath, from Abbott. 

Beech, Winter to Pond. 

Beacon, Southbridge to Kilby. 

Beaver, Main to Park avenue. 

Belknap, Washington to Plymouth. 

Bellevue, Pleasant to Bluff. 

Belmont, from Lincoln Square east. 

Belvidere avenue, from Burncoat. 

Benefit, from Main, east. 

Berkeley, Eastern avenue to Shamrock. 

Bigelow, Lafayette to Sigel. 

Birch, Shirley to Beaver. 

Bismark, Fountain to Clayton. 

Blackstone, Exchange to Bridge. 

Blake, Harrison to Columbia. 

Bleeker, Orient to Plantation. 

Blithe wood ave., Millbury ave. to Grafton. 

Bloomingdale Road, from Grafton. 

Blossom, Russell to Hudson. 

Bluff, King to Mason. 

Bowdoin, Harvard to West. 

Boylston, from Lincoln. 

Boynton, Highland to Salisbury. 

Bradley, Green to Gold. 

Branch, Orient to Wall. 

Brattle, from Holden. 

Bremer, Dryden to Whittier. 

Briden, from Garden. 

Bridge, Front to Summer. 

Brigham, from Piedmont. 

Brittan, from Lincoln avenue. 

Brooks, from West Boylston to Maiden. 

Brown, Beech to Grace. 

Brussels, from Crompton. 

Bryant, Bremer to Hemans. 

Buffum, Mill to Coes. 

Burgess, from Lakeside avenue. 

Burncoat, from Lincoln. 

Burnett, from Ludlow. 

Burt, from Grafton. 

Butler, from Ludlow. 

Byron, North to Millbrook. 

Cambridge, Main to Millbury. 

Camp, from Southgate. 

Canal, from Front. 



83 



— STR 



Canterbury, Hammond to Cambridge. 
Carbon, from Belmont. 
Carlstad, from Whipple. 
Carlton, Front to Mechanic. 
Caroline, Grafton to Plantation. 
Carpenter, Pond to Harrison. 
Carroll, Glen to Prospect. 
Castle, Main to Ely. 
Cataract, Mower to Olean. 
Catharine, Lincoln to Rodney. 
Cedar, Chestnut to Agricultural. 
Cemetery road, Grove to Prescott. 
Central, Main to Summer. 
Central avenue, from Brooks. 
Chadwick, from Grove. 
Chandler, Main to Pleasant. 
Channing, Kendall to Green lane. 
Chapin, iEtna to Union avenue. 
Charles, Summer to Blackstone. 
Charlotte, Woodland to Park avenue. 
Charlton, Main to Beacon. 
Chatham, Main to Newbury. 
Cheever, Chelsea to Woodward. 
Chelsea, Cambridge to Southbridge. 
Cherry, Canal to Vine. 
Chester, from Holden. 
Chestnut, Pleasant to Bowdoin. 
Chrome, Orient to Plantation. 
Church, Front to Mechanic. 
Circuit, from Lake avenue. 
Clapp, Washburn to Kansas. 
Claremont, Main to Woodland. 
Clark, Burncoat to Mountain. 
Clarkson, Coral to Barclay. 
Clayton, Kendall to Belmont. 
Clement, Main to Beaver. 
Cliff, Millbury to Granite. 
Clifton, May to Charlotte. 
Clinton, Pleasant to Chatham. 
Clover, from Heard. 
Coburn avenue, from Belmont. 
Coes, from Park avenue. 
College, from Southbridge. 
Colton, Southbridge to Lawrence. 
Columbia, Water to Arlington. 
Concord, Grove to Prescott. 
Congress, Crown to Newbury. 
Cora, from Lakeside avenue. 
Coral, Grafton to iEtna. 
Cottage, West to Fruit. 
Court, from Court Hill. 
Crescent, Garden to Sackville. 
Cristy, from Grand. 
Crompton, Southbridge to Woodward. 
Cross, Shrewsbury to East Worcester. 
Crown, Pleasant to Austin. 
Crystal, from Main. 
Curtis, from Leicester. 
Cushing, Lincoln to Paine. 
Cutler, Grafton to Union avenue. 
Cypress, Exchange to Foster. 
Dale, Brigham to Jaques avenue. 
Daley, from Hemans. 
Davis, Piedmont to Queen. 
Dean, Highland to Salisbury. 
Decatur, Hollywood to Page. 



Denny, Dix to Highland. 

Dewey, Pleasant to May. 

Diamond, from Mihbury. 

Division, Orient to Plantation. 

Dix, Harvard to North Ashland. 

Dorrance, Cambridge to Mitchell. 

Douglas, Grand to Cambridge. 

Dover, from Highland. 

Downing, Main to Park avenue. 

Dryden, Edgeworth to Hemans. 

Dudley ave.,West Boylston st. to Mount ave. 

Dupont, Hamilton to Chrome. 

D wight, from Cambridge, 

Earle, Edward to Elizabeth. 

East Central, Summer to Shrewsbury. 

East Shelby, from Eastern avenue. 

East Worcester, from Shrewsbury. 

Eastern Avenue, East Central to Catharine. 

Eden, Sudbury to George. 

Edgeworth, Milton to Byron. 

Edward, Belmont to Laurel. 

Elizabeth, Belmont to Reservoir. 

Elliott, Carroll to Merrifield. 

Ellsworth, Millbury to Quinsigamond ave. 

Elm, Main to Park avenue. 

Elmwood, from Apricot. 

Ely, Davis to Castle. 

Endicott, Millbury to Vernon. 

Essex, from South Irving. 

Esther, Millbury to Vernon, 

Eureka, from Leicester. 

Everett, Cedar to William. 

Exchange, Main to Summer. 

Fairfield, from Park avenue. 

Fair view avenue, from Plantation. 

Fales, from West Boylston. 

Farwell, Elizabeth to Eastern avenue. 

Faraday, Grove to Salisbury. 

Fern, from Park avenue. 

Flagg, Salisbury to Pleasant. 

Florence, May to Beaver. 

Ford, East Central to Gage. 

Forest, Salisbury to Grove. 

Forest avenue, Lincoln to Windsor. 

Foster, Main to Summer. 

Foundry, Vine to Canal. 

Fountain, Arch to Bismark. 

Fowler, from Mill. 

Fox, Water to Jefferson. 

Foyle, Millbury to Ward. 

Francis, from West Boylston. 

Franklin, Trumbull square to Grafton. 

Frederick, Lincoln to Crescent. 

Freeland, Main to Tirrell. 

Fremont, from Cambridge. 

Front, Main to Washington square. 

Fruit, Pleasant to John. 

Fulton, Summer to Mulberry. 

Gage, Eastern avenue to East Shelby. 

Garden, Lincoln to Prescott. 

Gardner, Main to Southgate. 

Garfield, from Cambridge 

Gas, from Southbridge. 

Gates, Main to Illinois. 

Gates lane, Leicester to Mill. 

George, Main to Harvard. 



STR— 



84 



Gertrude avenue, from Main. 

Gilman, from Lincoln. 

Glen, Orchard to Edward. 

Glenwood, Benefit to Hammond. 

Goddard, Green to Winter. 

Gold, Green to Sargent. 

Goulding, Dix to Highland. 

Grace, Winter to Pond. 

Grafton, from Washington square. 

Grand, from Main. 

Granite, Winthrop to Millbury. 

Green, from Trumbull square. 

Green Lane, from Lincoln. 

Greendale avenue, from West Boylston. 

Greenwood, from Millbury. 

Greenwood avenue, from Plantation. 

Grosvenor, Lafayette to Lamartine. 

Grove, from Salisbury. 

Hacker, Cambridge to Southgate. 

Hadwen lane, Pleasant to May. 

Hale, Grafton to Plantation. 

Hall, from Sunny side. 

Hamburg, Ludlow to Heard. 

Hamilton, Grafton to Plantation. 

Hammond, Main to Southbridge. 

Hancock, Main to Hollis. 

Hanover, Belmont to Prospect. 

Harlem, from Millbury. 

Harrington, from Millbury avenue. 

Harrington avenue, Lincoln to Channing. 

Harrison, Green to Barclay. 

Harvard, Sudbury to Highland. 

Hathaway, Gardner to Wyman. 

Hawkins, Norfolk to Orient. 

Hawley, Pleasant to Austin. 

Hawthorn, Main to Woodland. 

Heard, from Stafford. 

Hemans, Dryden to Whittier. 

Henchman, Lincoln to Crescent. 

Henry, Shrewsbury to East Worcester. 

Henshaw, from Leicester. 

Hermitage avenue, from Channing. 

Hermon, Main to Southbridge. 

Heywood, Winthrop to Millbury. 

Hibernia, Front to Mechanic. 

High, Austin to Pleasant. 

Highland, from Lincoln square. 

Hill, Shrewsbury to East Central. 

Hillside avenue, from Bloomingdale road. 

Holden, from Grove. 

Hollis, Kilby to Gates. 

Hollywood, Kingsbury to Oberlin. 

Holmes, from Cambridge. 

Home, Wachusett to North Ashland. 

Homer, from Park avenue. 

Hooper, Belmont to Kendall. 

Hope avenue, Webster to Southbridge. 

Horner, Downing to Shirley. 

Houchin avenue, Chatham to Austin. 

Houghton, Grafton to Heywood. 

Howard, Summer to Blackstone. 

Howard lane, from Fowler. 

Howe, from Sever. 

Howe avenue, at Tatnuck. 

Hudson, Pleasant to Elm. 

Hunt, from Shrewsbury. 



Illinois, Grand to Richards. 

Ingalls, "Vernon to Fox. 

Institute road, formerly Jo Bill road. 

Irving, Pleasant to Chandler. 

Jackson, Main to Southbridge. 

Jacques, from Webster. 

James, from Stafford. 

Jaques avenue, King to Wellington. 

Jefferson, Vernon to Providence. 

Jerome, from Ward. 

Jo Bill road, Salisbury to Park avenue. 

John, Harvard to Seaver. 

June, Pleasant to May. 

Kansas, Sherman to Southbridge. 

Keen, from Ludlow. 

Keese, from Grafton. 

Kendall, Lincoln to Rodney. 

Kilby, Main to Tainter. 

King, Main to Chandler. 

Kingsbury, May to Mason. 

Lafayette, Millbury to Southbridge. 

Lagrange, from Main. 

Lake, Leicester to Mill. 

Lake avenue, bordering on Lake Quinsiga- 

mond. 
Lakeside avenue, Lovell to Mill. 
Lamartine, Millbury to Lafayette. 
Lancaster, Dix to Salisbury. 
Langdon, Lafayette to Lamartine. 
Larch, Piedmont to Winslow. 
Larkin, Shrewsbury to East Worcester. 
Laurel, Summer to Eastern avenue. 
Lawn, from Orient. 
Lawrence, Kansas to Colton. 
Lazelle, from Millbrook. 
Lee, Park avenue to Sunny Side. 
Ledge, Water to Waverly. 
Leicester, from Webster square. 
Leonard, Hollis to Illinois. 
Lewis, Southbridge to Princeton. 
Lexington, Grove to Prescott, 
Liberty, Belmont to Arch. 
Lily, North Ashland to Pink. 
Lincoln, from Lincoln square. 
Lincoln avenue, from Lincoln street. 
Linden, Pleasant to Elm. 
Linwood place, Lincoln to Fountain. 
Liscomb, Shrewsbury to Belmont. 
Litchfield, Canterbury to Hacker. 
Locust avenue, from Belmont. 
Lodi, Lamartine to Lafayette. 
Loudon, Main to Woodland. 
Lovell, Chandler to Webster square. 
Lowell, Main to Freeland. 
Ludlow, from Leicester. 
Lunelle, Lafayette to Lamartine. 
Lyman, from Webster. 
Lynn, Salem to Orange. 
Lyon, Shrewsbury to East Worcester. 
Madison, from Main. 
Main, Lincoln square to Webster square. 
Maiden, from West Boylston. 
Manchester, Union to Bridge. 
Maple, Main to Walnut. 
Maple avenue, at Tatnuck. 
Marble, Main to Beaver. 



85 



-STR 



Market, Main to Summer. 

Marshall, from Shrewsbury. 

Marston way, Fruit to Seaver. 

Mason, Pleasant to May. 

Maud, from Bath. 

Maxwell, from Millbury. 

May, Main to Pleasant. 

Maywood, Main to Lovell. 

Meade, Lafayette to Lamartine. 

Mechanic, Main to Washington square. 

Melrose, Burncoat to Lincoln. 

Melville, Burncoat to Paine. 

Mendon, Grafton to Union avenue. 

Merrick, Pleasant to Austin. 

Merrifield, Belmont to East Shelby. 

Milk, from Franklin. 

Mill, Leicester to Tatnuck village. 

Mill brook, Burncoat to West Boylston. 

Millbury, from Green. 

Millbury avenue, from Grafton. 

Milton, North to Millbrook. 

Minthorne, from Lovell. 

Mitchell, Pitt to Dorrance. 

Montague, Leicester to Barker. 

Montreal, from Wall. 

Moreland, Pleasant to Salisbury. 

Morse, from Lovell. 

Mott, Coral to Barclay. 

Mount avenue, from Brooks. 

Mount Pleasant, Benefit to Allen. 

Mount Vernon, Westminster to Channing. 

Mountain, north-east corner of Worcester. 

Mower, from Tatnuck. 

Mulberry, Shrewsbury to Shelby. 

Murray avenue, Wellington to Dale. 

Muskeego, Shrewsbury to Albany. 

Myrtle, Main to Orange. 

Nashua, Crescent to Byron. 

Nebraska, from Putnam lane. 

Newbury, Pleasant to Chandler. 

Newport, Edward to Liberty. 

Nixon, Mountain to West Boylston. 

Norfolk, from Bloomingdale road. 

Normal, Prospect to Eastern avenue. 

North, from Grove. 

North Ashland, William to Highland. 

North Foster, Foster to Union. 

North Merrick, Pleasant to Cedar. 

Norton, Lincoln to Paine. 

Norwich, Foster to Mechanic. 

Norwood, Main to Woodland. 

Oak, Elm to Cedar. 

Oak avenue, Belmont to Catharine. 

Oakham, from Montreal. 

Oakland, from Webster. 

Oberlin, Woodland to Florence. 

Olean, from Mower. 

Oliver, Beaver to Park avenue. 

Orange, Park to Madison. 

Orchard, Arch to Bismark. 

Oread, Main to Beacon. 

Orient, from Grafton. 

O'Rourke, from Cambridge. 

Oswald, Stebbins to Perry. 

Otis, from Prescott. 

Oxford, Chandler to Pleasant. 



Page, Kingsbury to Barbour. 

Paine, Frederick to Burncoat, 

Pakachoag, Crompton to Brussels. 

Palfrey, Bloomingdale road to Greenwood 
avenue. 

Palmer, Liberty to Edward. 

Park, Main to Trumbull square. 

Park avenue, Grove to Mill. 

Parker, Page to Winfield. 

Patch, Elizabeth to Eastern avenue. 

Pattison, Vernon to Providence. 

Pearl, Main to Chestnut. 

Pembroke, Florence to Park avenue. 

Penn avenue, Grafton to Union avenue. 

Perkins, Lincoln to Paine. 

Perry, Quinsigamond Village. 

Perry avenue, Endicott to Suffleld. 

Phillips, Bloomingdale road to Greenwood 
avenue. 

Piedmont, Main to Pleasant. 

Pierpont, Bloomingdale road to Greenwood 
avenue. 

Pine, from Jamesville square. 

Pink, Highland to Lily. 

Pitt, Cambridge to Mitchell. 

Plantation, Grafton to Lincoln. 

Pleasant, Main to Tatnuck. 

Plum, Shrewsbury to East Worcester. 

Plymouth, Green to Orange. 

Pond, Green to Water. 

Portland, Park to Madison. 

Prentice, Shrewsbury to Belmont. 

Preston, Brigham to Jaques avenue. 

Princeton, from Southbridge. 

Prioulx, from Hemans. 

Prospect, Summer to East Shelby. 

Providence, Grafton to Winthrop. 

Putnam, Shrewsbury to Belmont. 

Queen, Austin to Kingsbury. 

Quincy, Chatham to Austin. 

Quinsigamond avenue, Southbridge to Mill- 
bury. 

Reservoir, Edward to Eastern avenue. 

Rice, from Mountain. 

Richards, Main to Cambridge. 

Richland, Millbury to Vernon. 

Riley, from Kansas. 

Ripley, Main to Tainter. 

Riverside, from Southbridge. 

Rodney, Belmont to Catharine. 

Roxbury, from Whipple. 

Russell, Austin to Elm. 

Sackville, from Crescent. 

Salem, Park to Southbridge. 

Salisbury, from Lincoln square. 

Sargent, Southbridge to Lamartine. 

School, Main to Summer. 

Scott, Lafayette to Lamartine. 

Sever, Pleasant to Highland. 

Seward, from Shrewsbury. 

Seymour, Millbury to Ward. 

Shale, from Lawn. 

Shamrock, from East Central to Berkeley, 

Shelby, Carroll to Eastern avenue. 

Shepard, King to Kingsbury. 

Sherbrook avenue, from Lake avenue. 



STR— 



86 



Sheridan, Cambridge to Sherman. 

Sherman, from Dorrance. 

Shirley, Park avenue to Horner. 

Shrewsbury, Washington sq. to Belmont. 

Sigel, Millbury to Quinsigamond avenue. 

Sigourney, North to Edgeworth. 

Silver, May to Claremont. 

South Crystal, Cambridge to Canterbury. 

South Irving, Chandler to Wellington. 

Southbridge, from Franklin square. 

Southgate, Southbridge to Litchfield. 

Spring, Front to Mechanic. 

Spruce, Green to Washington. 

Stafford, from Leicester. 

State, Court hill to Harvard. 

Stebbins, from Millbury. 

Steele, from Whipple. 

Stockholm, Whipple to Tatman. 

Sturges, from Lincoln. 

Sudbury, Main to Chestnut. 

Suffield, from Vernon. 

Suffolk, Bloomingdale road to Wall. 

Summer, Lincoln sq. to Washington sq. 

Summit, from Gold. 

Summit avenue, from West Boylston. 

Sunny Side, from Park avenue. 

Sutton lane, from Cambridge. 

Sycamore, Main to Beacon. 

Taft, from Cambridge. 

Tainter, Ripley to Grand. 

Tatman, Greenwood to Stockholm. 

Taylor, from Millbury. 

Taylor, at Quinsigamond village. 

Temple, Green to Grafton. 

Thayer, from Ripley. 

Thenius, Stebbins to Perry. 

Thomas, Main to Summer. 

Thorne, Wall to Plantation. 

Tirrell, Main to Freeland. 

Townsend, Russell to Hudson. 

Tremont, Front to Mechanic. 

Trumbull, Front to Trumbull square. 

Tuckerman, Jo Bill road to Salisbury. 

Tufts, Mason to Winfield. 

Union, Lincoln square to Mechanic, 

Union avenue, Ward to Grafton. 

Upland, from Greenwood. 

Uxbridge, from Lincoln avenue. 

Vale, iEtna to Union avenue. 

Valley, Castle to Oread place. 

Vernon, Green to Quinsigamond Village. 

View, from Vernon. 

Vine, Front to Franklin. 

Vinton, from Lincoln. 

Wabash avenue, from Granite. 

Wachusett, Home to Salisbury. 

Wade, Millbury to Ward. 

Waite, from Shrewsbury. 

Waldo, Exchange to Foster. 

Wall, Grafton to Norfolk. 

Walnut, Main to Chestnut. 

Ward, Vernon to Millbury. 

Warden, Shrewsbury to Plantation. 

Warren, Front to Cherry. 

Washburn, Southbridge to Cambridge. 

Washington, Park to Lafayette. 



Water, Grafton to Green. 

Waverley, Providence to Grafton, 

Wayne, Leicester to Baker. 

Webster, from Webster square. 

Wellington, Main to Chandler. 

Wells, from Plantation. 

Wesby, John to Home. 

West, Pleasant to Salisbury. 

West Boylston, from Park avenue. 

West Oberlin, from Park avenue. 

Westminster, Catharine to Mt. Vernon. 

Whipple, at Quinsigamond village. 

Whitney, from Millbury. 

Whittier, from Edgeworth. 

Wigwam avenue, Lake av. to Coburn av. 

Willard, at Tatnuck. 

William, Chestnut to Sever. 

Willis, Bremer to Hemans. 

Wilson from Seward. 

Windsor, from Catharine. 

Winfield, Tufts to May. 

Winslow, Pleasant to Austin. 

Winter, Green to Grafton. 

Winthrop, from Vernon. 

Woodbine, May wood to Beaver. 

Woodland, King to May. 

Woodward, from Cambridge. 

Worth, Millbury to Ward. 

Wyman, Main to Tainter. 

Streets and Street Names. — There are 
some 600 streets in Worcester— 142 miles of 
public and 50 miles of private streets. 
They are quite generally curbed, and a 
large proportion paved or macadamized. 
The appropriation for the Highway De- 
partment in 1889 was $95,000. 

Main street is probably the oldest high- 
way in the city. It was used in 1674, and 
constantly from 1713. The Jo Bill road 
was a travelled path two hundred years 
ago. Front street, part of Summer street, 
Lincoln street, Salisbury, Pleasant, Green 
and Grafton streets were other early roads. 
Plantation street was in use at the time the 
place was called Quinsigamond Planta- 
tions, and perpetuates the name. Front 
street was legally laid out March 15, 1785. 
Of the other streets running from Main 
street, Mechanic street was opened in 1787, 
as a way to the new burying ground, and 
for many years did not continue beyond 
it; Thomas street was opened and given 
to the town in 1806, by Isaiah Thomas; 
School street was laid out by Geer Terry 
about 1814, and was at first called Terry 
street. April 4, 1814, the town voted " to 
authorize the selectmen to name such 
streets leading from the Center street as 
they might judge proper, and to place 
posts and boards with the names thereon 
at the corners thereof. " At this time the 
following names were probably given or 
confirmed: Main, Front, Pleasant, Me- 
chanic, Thomas, School and Back (now 
Summer) streets. In Town meeting May 



87 



STR 



3, 1824, it was "voted that the street from 
Abraham Lincoln's store to Broken-up 
Hill until it comes to Barber's Road at the 
guide-post, be called Salisbury street." On 
the map of the village published by Claren- 
don Harris in July, 1829, the names of only 
fifteen streets appear, viz., Salisbury, Main, 
School, Thomas, Central, Mechanic, Front, 
Summer, Franklin, Graf ton. Green, Water, 
South (now Park), Church (now Salem 
Square) and Pleasant. Lincoln and Wash- 
ington Squares had been named ; and part 
of Pearl and Lincoln streets and all of the 
present Market street were engraved on 
the map, but the names were not affixed. 
Between 1830 and 1840 quite a number of 
new streets were opened, among them 
Foster, Elm and Exchange (at first called 
Market) in the center of the town. The 
names of more than sixty appear on the 
map published with the first directory in 
1844; and there was a rapid increase after 
this date. The town government appears 
to have had little to do with naming streets, 
and comparatively few were officially des- 
ignated, unless the acceptance of them 
with names already given may be consid- 
ered a legal sanction. In January, 1849, 
after Worcester became a city, Mr. Henry 
J. Howland, publisher of the Directory , 
requested the City Council to establish 
names for such highways and public 
streets as had not received them, for 
the better convenience of locating the 
inhabitants, particularly those living out- 
side the center district. This petition was 
referred to the committee on highways, 
who reported in January, 1850, recom- 
mending the appointment of a special com- 
mittee of one citizen from each of the old 
highway districts (12 in number) to report 
suitable names for all the highways and 
streets within the limits of the city, sub- 
ject to revision by the Mayor and Alder- 
men. Mr. Howland was made chairman 
of this committee. The report is recorded 
on page 51, Vol. 1, of the Records of Streets, 
in the city clerk's office. Some 70 names 
were given or confirmed by this committee. 
In February, 1871, a joint special commit- 
tee of the two branches of the City Council 
was appointed to provide for renumbering 
the streets, and to supply names where they 
were wanting. About thirty names were 
confirmed at this time. 

With the exception of occasional official 
recognition, the nomenclature of the 
greater portion appears to have been left 
to individual fancy, and names were and 
are applied by private parties without 
special authority. More or less confusion 
has resulted, and in several cases a name 
has been attached to two or more streets 
at the same time, thereby leading strangers 
widely astray. There have been three 
Waldo streets; and there are two Taylor 



streets at the present time. A large num- 
ber of family and private names have be on 
applied, in some cases by irresponsible 
and transient persons, who seized the 
opportunity to gain a little glory for them- 
selves and those connected with them, at 
the expense of the community. A great 
many absurd and inappropriate names 
appear, in violation of good taste and com- 
mon sense. Some rule should be estab- 
lished by the City Government for the 
proper naming of streets, and some evi- 
dence required as to the respectability and 
fitness of the titles proposed. Of some of 
the reasons given for applying certain 
names the least said the soonest mended. 

The investigation of the origin of street 
and other names of any particular place 
leads to many curious and interesting facts 
of local history. An analysis of these names 
exhibits to a certain degree the tastes and 
tendency of mind in the people for a long 
period. In Worcester, family names have 
been used in large proportion. Of illus- 
trious names we have a few such as Wash- 
ington, Franklin, Lafayette and Wellington. 
In opening streets at the north end, Hon . 
Stephen Salisbury gave the revolutionary 
names of Concord, Lexington, Prescott, 
Hancock and Otis. Of the presidents 
besides Washington, we find the names of 
Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, Harri- 
son, Lincoln, Grant and Garfield; of states- 
men and generals, Hamilton, Clinton, Web- 
ster, Everett, Wilson, Seward, Bismark, 
Scott, Fremont, Meade, Sherman, Sheridan 
and Sigel. Mr. David S. Messinger in laying 
out Fairmont gave literary names to the 
streets there, and we have Milton, Dryden, 
Edgeworth, Bremen, Hemans, Byron, Bry- 
ant, Willis and Whittier. Lamartine, Pal- 
frey, Pierpont. Lowell and Waverley are of 
this class given by others. Mr. Messinger 
also named William and Elizabeth streets 
after his children. It is to be regretted 
that the names of the early settlers of the 
town are not perpetuated in more instances. 
Henchman and Curtis are the only ones 
that occur at present writing. Indian 
names scarcely appear. To Gov. Lincoln 
we are indebted for such names as Elm, 
Maple, Chestnut, Cedar, Walnut, Linden 
and Oak. These are always in good taste, 
as are Woodland, Birch, Maywood and 
Hawthorn, named by Mr. Henry H. Cham- 
berlin. The trees are well represented in 
Worcester street names; the fruits in Plum, 
Apricot, Mulberry, Cherry and Orange, and 
with these belong Vine, Fruit and Orchard. 
We find the four seasons in Spring, Sum- 
mer, Autumn and Winter, and the months 
in May and June ; the precious metals in 
Gold and Silver; and the gems in Pearl, 
Agate and Diamond. Milk and Water 
streets are in suspicious proximity. Such 
names as Gas, Chrome, Bath and Carbon 



STE- 



88 



as well as many others, are absurdities 
when applied to streets. 

Many street names are self-explanatory, 
as, for instance, the highways leading to 
several of the adjacent, or other towns, 
such as Boylston, West Boylston, Holden, 
Leicester, Stafford, Southbridge, Millbury, 
Grafton and Shrewsbury. The situation of 
many gives the cue to their names, as High, 
Prospect, Vale, Valley, Cliff, Crown, 
Ascension, and several others. In the 
following list of some 200 streets the result 
of the writer's inquiries is given so far as 
the origin or source of the name is con- 
cerned. Other interesting particulars have 
been gathered, but cannot be presented in 
the limited space afforded by the Diction- 
ary. The compiler will gladly receive 
corrections from those who possess authen- 
tic information. 

Abbott— Ebenezer E. Abbott. 

Adams— Adams family. 

Aitchison— George C. Aitchison. 

Albert— Charles Albert Allen. 

Alden— John Alden. 

Alvarado avenue— Alvarado A. Coburn. 

Anna— Wife of C. C. Coburn. 

Anne— Wife of Patrick O'Rourke. 

Ararat— Mount Ararat. 

Ashland— Home of Henry Clay. 

Assonet— Named by Job Lawton, who was 
born in Assonet, a place near Ply- 
mouth. Job's wife's name was Pa- 
tience. 

Asylum— Insane Asylum. 

Austin — Rev. Samuel Austin. 

Bailey— Silas Bailey. 

Baker— Warren Baker. 

Ballard— John S. Ballard. 

Barbour— William C. Barbour. 

Barclay— Barclay, the Quaker. 

Beach— Henry J. Howland says he named 
it for the tree, and that it should be 
spelled Beech. Others say named for 
Lucius Beach. 

Beacon— Beacon street in Boston. Named 
by Col. James Estabrook. 

Bellevue— Named by George Jaques. 

Belmont— Suggested by Bell pond. 

Benefit— Benefit to Worcester Academy by 
sale of the land. 

Berkeley— Berkeley, the Quaker. 

Blackstone— Blackstone Canal. 

Blake— James G. Blake, Mayor. 

Blithewood— Named by Rev. J. F. Bur- 
bank for a place in England . 

Boynton — John Boynton. 

Bradley— Osgood Bradley. 

Brown— Albert Brown. 

Camp— Camp Scott. 

Caroline— Caroline,wife of Fred. Greenleaf, 
hero of one of Rev. E. E. Hale's 
novels. 

Carpenter— Anthony E. Carpenter. 

Castle— From the Oread. 



Catharine — Wife of Ebenezer Harrington. 

Chadwick — Chad wick family. 

Chandler — Chandler family. 

Channing — William Ellery Channing. 

Chapin— Henry Chapin. 

Charlotte— Wife of H. H. Chamberlin. 

Cheever— Rev. Henry T. Cheever. 

Church— Formerly Salem Square was 
called Church street, and the name 
remained with the continuation. 

Clark— William L. Clark. 

Clarkson— Clarkson, the Quaker. 

Clinton— Dewitt Clinton. 

Colton— Samuel H. Colton. 

Crescent — Former course of the street. 

Cristy— Cristy Weyer. 

Crompton— George Crompton. 

Crown— Crown of the hill. 

Crystal— Crystal Lake in Illinois. 

Curtis— Albert Curtis. 

Cushing— Paine family name. 

Cutler— From a resident. 

Davis — Isaac Davis. 

Dean — Salisbury family name. 

Decatur— Decatur C. Tourtelotte. 

Dewey — Francis H. Dewey. 

Dix— Dr. Elijah Dix. 

Dorrance— Dorrance S. Goddard. 

Douglas— This street was named by Wil- 
liam G. Maynard, who renumbered 
the streets in 1871. It was peopled 
with negroes and Irish who could not 
agree upon a name. The negroes 
were told that Frederick Douglass 
was honored, and the Irish that it 
had reference to Stephen A. Douglas, 
Democratic candidate for the presi- 
dency, so both factions were satisfied. 

Downing— A. J. Downing, eminent horticul- 
turist. 

EarU^ i Edward Earle - 

Ellsworth— Ellsworth, the Martyr. 

Ely— Lyman A. Ely. 

Everett— Edward Everett. 

Exchange— Central Exchange. 

Farwell— Simeon Farwell, who bought the 
first lot. 

Foster — Foster family. 

Fountain— From the " Water Cure " form- 
erly near there. 

Fowler— Ezekiel Fowler. 

Fox— Fox Family. 

Francis f Erancis Fales Kneeland. 
Frederick— Frederick W. Paine. 
Freeland— Named in Free-.soi'i times by H. 

H. Chamberlin and Henry Chapin. 
Fremont — John C. Fremont. 
Garden— Garden of Wm. Lincoln. 
Gardner— Named by James H. Wall for 

the Know-Nothing Governor. 
Gas— Gas Works. 
Gates— Simon S. Gates. 
George— Gen. George Hobbs. 
Glen— Its situation. 



89 



— STR 



rton. 
or the 



Goulding— Goulding family. 

Grace— Grace of the Lord. 

Grant — The General and President. 

Hacker— W. E. Hacker. 

Hale— Rev. E. E. Hale. 

Hammond — Sargent family name. 

Harrington Ave.— Ebenezer Harrin 

Harrison— Named by John F. Pond : 
President in 1841. 

Hathaway— Dr. John G. Hathaway. 

Hawkins— D. A. Hawkins. 

Hawley— Wm. Dickinson's first wife's fam- 
ily name. 

Henchman — Henchman, early settler. 

Henry— Walter Henry. 

High— Its situation. 

Holmes, j pitt Holmes . 

Houchin — T. W. Houchin. 

Hudson— Chas. Hudson, member of Con- 
gress. 

Illinois— Named by S. S. Gates, former res- 
ident, who went to Illinois. 

Jackson— President Jackson. 

Jo Bill— Joseph Bill who lived there in 1750. 

John — Dr. John Green. 

Kansas— Named in " Kansas " 

Keese— Timothy Keese Earle. 

Kendall — Joseph G. Kendall. 

Kilby— Kilby street in Boston 
Col. James Estabrook. 

King — Family name of Mrs. S. 

Kingsbury— Family name of 
Allen's mother. 

Lagrange— Home of Lafayette. 
"Lamartine — Eminent Frenchman. 
Langdon— Name in Whittier's " Stanzas 

for the Times." 
Lafayette— Eminent Frenchman. 
Lunelle— Lunelle Sargent who lived there. 
Lodi— Bridge of Lodi. 
These were named by the late Perry Thay- 
er, who laid out the triangle on the 
Island, and desired to comprise all 
the names under one letter in the 
alphabet. 

Lawrence— Amos A. Lawrence, Kansas 
benefactor. 

Lewis — Lewis Chapin. 

Liberty— Peopled by negroes. 

Lincoln — Lincoln family. 

Liscomb— N. S. Liscomb. 

Loudon— Eminent English landscape gar- 
dener. 

Lovell— Lovell family. 

Lowell— James Russell Lowell, the poet. 

Madison— President Madison. 

Mason — Joseph Mason. 

Mendon— Named by John F. Pond in com- 
pliment to Henry Chapin. 

Merrick— Mrs. D. Waldo Lincoln's family 
name. 

Merrifield — Merrifleld family. 

Mott — Lucretia Mott. 

Mower — Mower family. 

Mulberry— First planted with Mulberry 



times. 



, Named by 

H. Colton. 
Rev. George 



trees during the silk-worm excite- 
ment. 

Nashua— Nashua railroad. 

Newbury — Newbury street in Portland, Me. 

Newport — Native place of Mrs. Edward 
Earle. 

Normal — Normal School. 

Norwich— Norwich railroad in the old Fos- 
ter street station. 

Norwood — Henry Ward Beecher's novel. 

Oberlin— Oberlin College. 

Oliver— Oliver H. Blood. 

Oread— Oread Institute. 

Oxford— Oxford street in New York. 

Paine — Paine family. 

Palfrey— John G. Palfrey. 

Palmer — Jonas G. Palmer. 

Parker — Mrs. Joseph Mason's family name. 

Patch — From a resident there. 

Pattison— Dr. R. E. Pattison. 

Penn. Ave. — William Penn. 

Perkins— Paine family name. 

Piedmont— "Foot of the Mountain." Named 
by George Jaques. 

Pierpont — Rev. John Pierpont. 

Plymouth— Probably named by Job Law- 
ton {See Assonet.) 

Portland— Portland in Maine. 

Prioulx— M. Prioulx, who opened it? 

Queen —Named by S. H. Colton to mate 
King street, which see. 

Reservoir — From the old reservoir recently 
demolished. 

Richards— Richards family. 

Ripley— John C. Ripley. 

Robinson PI. — Dr. Jeremiah Robinson. 

Russell — James W. Russell. 

Sargent— Sargent Card Clothing Co. 

Winfield } For the General - 

Seward — William H. Seward. 

Shepard— Timothy Shepard Stone. 

Sheridan ) 

Sherman V— For the Generals. 

Sigel ) 

Stafford— Turnpike to Stafford Springs. 

Sturgis— Paine family name. 

Tatman — Tatman family. 

Taylor — President Taylor. 

Taylor (at Quinsigamond Village) Ransom 

C. Taylor. 
Temple — The church there. 
Thayer— Charles D. Thayer. 
Thenius — Moritz Thenius. 
Thomas— Isaiah Thomas. 
Trumbull— George A. Trumbull. 
Tuckerman— Salisbury family name. 
Union— Named soon after Webster's reply 

to Hayne. 
Uxbridge — Named by John F. Pond in 

compliment to Henry Chapin. 
Valley — Its situation. 

Wachusett— The mountain can be seen. 
Waldo— Daniel Waldo. 
Warden— Warden family. 
Wellington— Probably named by George 



STR— 



90 



Jaques for the Duke. 
Wesby— Joseph S. Wesby, 
Whipple — Franklin Whipple. 
Wilmot — Wilmot Proviso. 
Wilson — Henry Wilson, senator. 
Winslow— Lincoln family name. 

Mr. Charles A. Chase has given some as- 
sistance in the compilation of the above 
list. 

The following lists of discarded and trans- 
ferred street names will be of interest in this 
connection: 

Discarded Names. 

Ann, now Kendall. 

Back, " Summer. 

Berkley, " Wade. 

Bliss, " West (north part.) 

Border, " Tufts. 

Corbett, " Chatham (east end). 

Columbian avenue, " Exchange (east end). 

Culvert, " Laurel (west end). 

Fuller, " Hanover. 

Hanover (in part), " Clayton. 

Holley, ■» South Russell. (?) 
Holbrook, 

Hospital, " •! ? ast Central. 

* ' i Jaques avenue. 

Lynde, " Clayton (nearly). 

Middle, " Union. 

Newton, Park avenue. 

Olive, " Discontinued. 

Palma, " Russell. 

Pratt, " Park avenue. 

Prince, Jaques avenue. 

Queen, (part) " Kingsbury. 

Quigley road, " Park avenue. 

Salem, (part) " Church. 

Silk, " Dix. 

Short, " Carlton. 

South, " Park. 

Terry, " School. 

Turnpike, " Belmont. 

Upton, " Barclay. 

Uxbridge, " Penn avenue. 

Vernant, M Hanover. 

Westborough, " 

Wilmot, " Eastern avenue. 

Transferred. 

Auburn, now Silver. 

Clifton, " Hollywood. 

Cliff, " Orient. 

Cross, " Spring. 

Division, " Chatham. 

Essex, •• South Irving. 

East, ;» Eastern avenue. 

Forest, " Woodland. 

Qoddard, " Grand. 

Goulding, u Liberty. 

I Richland. 

Grant, 4l 1 Grosvenor. 

( Houghton. 

Greenwood, " Patch. 
Hancock, formerly from Lexington to 
Gardner. 



Jaques, now Piedmont (north end.}. 

Larch, formerly now discontinued. 

Leicester, " Hermon. 

Market, " Exchange (west end). 

Oak, " Maple (west part). 

Pine, " Shrewsbury. 

Russell, " Reservoir. 

Silver, " Bowdoin. 

Spruce, " Oxford (south end). 

Taylor, formerly from Main, now discon- 
tinued. 

Waldo, now Boynton. 

White, formerly from Chandler, now dis- 
continued. 

Information Wanted. 

Persons having definite knowledge of the 
origin of the following names, or other 
particulars relating to the laying out of 
the streets are requested to communicate 
with the compiler of the Dictionary. 

Agawam. 

Allen. 

Armandale, 

Auburn. 

Ball. 

Batchelder. 

Belknap. 

Bismark. 

Bleeker. 

Brattle. 

Brigham. 

Brighton. 

Buffum. 

Burgess. 

Burncoat. 

Butler. 

Carlton. 

Carroll. 

Channing. 

Charles. 

Chester. 

Claremont. 

Cora. 

Coral. 

Cottage. 

Daley. 

Elmwood. 

Endicott. 

Essex. 

Fairview Avenue. 

Foyle. 

Gertrude Avenue. 

Goddard. 

Gold. 

Green. 

Greendale Avenue. 

Grosvenor. 

Groton Place. 

Hall. 

Hamburg. 

Hanover. 

Harlem. 

Harris Court. 

Heard. 

Hey wood. 



91 



— STR 



Hill. 

Hillside Avenue. 

Hollywood. 

Home. 

Houlihan Place. 

Howard. 

Howe. 

Hunt. 

Ingalls. 

Irving. 

James. 

Jerome. 

Kane's Court. 

Kneeland Court. 

Lancaster. 

Larkin. 

Laurel. 

Layard Place. 

Lee. 

Litchfield. 

Ludlow. 

Lyman. 

Lynn. 

Manchester. 

Marshall. 

Melrose. 

Mitchell. 

Montague. 

Montreal. 

Moreland. 

Mt. Pleasant. 

Nixon. 

Norfolk. 

Oakland. 

Olean. 

Orchard. 

Orient. 

Oswald. 

Page. 

Parker Avenue. 

Parlin Place. 

Pembroke. 

Phillips. 

Plymouth. 

Prentice. 

Princeton. 

Putnam. 

Riley. 

Roxbury. 

Seymore. 

Shelby. 

Shirley. 

Smith Court. 

Smith Lane. 

Stebbins. 

Suffield. 

Suffolk. 

Sunny Side. 

Swan Court. 

Taft. 

Town's Court, 

Townsend. 

Tremont. 

Tufts. 

Vale. 

Vernon. 



Wabash Avenue. 

Wade. 

Wall. 

Waverley. 

Wayne. 

Wells. 

Westminster. 

White. 

Whitney. 

Wilson. 

Windsor. 

Winthrop. 

Woodward Court. 

Worth. 

Street Railway.— The Worcester Horse 
Railroad Company was chartered in 1861, 
with the following corporators : Albert 
Curtis, Frederick W. Paine, Loring Coes, 
William H. Heywood, Joseph Sargent, John 
C. Mason and James H. Wall. The capital 
stock was $100,000. James B. Blake (after- 
wards mayor), who had been the prime 
mover in the undertaking, was elected 
president; and the following constituted 
the first board of directors : Albert Curtis, 
Geo. W. Richardson, Joseph Sargent, Dra- 
per Ruggles, Geo. W. Bentley, Henry 
Chapin, William Cross, Edward Earle, with 
Charles B. Whiting as treasurer and clerk. 
Tracks were laid through Lincoln street 
from Harrington avenue; Main street from 
Lincoln square to New Worcester; Front 
and Grafton streets to the railroad station; 
and Pleasant street as far as West street. 
The Lincoln, Main and Front street lines 
were opened for use September 1, 1863; the 
Pleasant street branch on the 3d of Novem- 
ber. The railroad did not prosper under 
Mr. Blake's management, and after a time 
the corporation failed, and the property 
was sold under the hammer. The stock- 
holders lost their investments, several as 
much as $5,000 each. The Pleasant street 
tracks were finally taken up, as that line 
had not paid from the first. Henry Chapin 
made some efforts to reorganize and rees- 
tablish the company on a sound basis, but 
without satisfactory results. 

In 1869, Augustus Seeley of New York 
bought the property and franchise of the 
company for (it is said) $30,000. For the 
next twelve years cars were run over the 
limited routes, hardly to the convenience 
of the public, and the fare was stiffly main- 
tained at seven cents on the main line. 
Persons changing from the Main street to 
the Front street cars were obliged to pay 
five cents more, making twelve cents to 
the Union station. In 1881, a reduction 
to five cents was compelled by the intro- 
duction of herdics, and this year the track 
was extended to Adams Square, the resi- 
dents along the new fine contributing quite 
a sum to indemnify the company for the 
risk and sacrifice. In 1885, a new company 



STR- 



92 



suddenly appeared and gained a franchise 
that considerably more than doubled the 
miles of track. Hon. Charles B. Pratt was 
president of the new corporation, known 
as the Citizen's. During the summer of 
1886 tracks were laid in Pleasant, South- 
bridge, Salisbury, Grove, Trumbull, Green, 
Millbury and other streets. In the mean- 
time the two companies consolidated, and 
the new management began to afford facil- 
ities more in character with the require- 
ments of the citizens. The following routes 
are now travelled, and others are to be 
opened. 

Adams square, Lincoln and Main street, 
to Webster square. 

Chadwick square, Grove, Salisbury, Main 
and Southbridge streets to Auburn square. 

Lincoln square, Main, Pleasant, West, 
Cedar and Agricultural streets to Elm Park. 

Lincoln square, Main and Pleasant 
streets, to Park avenue. 

Lincoln square, Main, Front, Trumbull, 
Green and Millbury streets, to Quinsiga- 
mond Village. 

Union station to Lincoln square. 
" " " Park avenue. 

" " " Elm park. 

" " " New Worcester. 

Lincoln square, Salisbury, Boynton and 
Highland streets, to Elm park. 

The capital stock of the Worcester Con- 
solidated Street Railway Company is $350,- 
000. Number of stockholders, 46; miles of 
road, 16.79; number of cars, 76; number of 
employes, 170; number of horses, 351. 
There was 4,341,697 passengers carried dur- 
ing the year; and 644,789 miles travelled. 
Total income for one year, $207,589. Ex- 
pense of operating the road for the same 
period, $171,345. The property and assets 
are valued at $616,463, with a net debt of 
$239,860. Charles B. Pratt is president, 
and H. S. Seeley secretary and treasurer. 

The following time-table is subject to 
slight alterations: 

Main Street South. 
Car Color, Straio. Color of Light, Red. 

Leave Perkins street, 7.27 a.m. then every 
15 minutes until 10.42 p.m. 

Leave Lincoln square for Webster square 
6.55 a.m.; then 7.10 and every 7 minutes 
until 10.33 a.m.; then every 15 minutes until 
11.48 a.m.; then every 7 minutes until 8.05, 
then every 15 minutes until 10.48 p.m. 

Leave Market street 6.20 a.m., and every 
7 minutes till 7.05. 

Leave Front street, south, 6.25 a.m.; then 
every 7£ minutes until 10.39 a.m.; then every 
15 minutes until 11.54 a.m.; then every 7£ 
minutes until 8.11 p.m.; then every 15 min- 
utes until 11.10 p.m. 

Main Street North. 
Leave Webster square 6.05, 6.20 a.m. ; then 
every 7j minutes until 11.05 a.m. ; then every 



15 minutes until 12.27 p.m.; then every 7fc 
minutes until 8.05 p.m.; then every 15 min- 
utes until 10.50 p.m. 

Leave Grand street 6.15,6.30 a.m.; then 
every 7Jj minutes until 11.15 a.m.; then every 
15 minutes until 12.37 p.m.; then every 7£ 
minutes until 8.15 p.m. ; then every 15 min- 
utes until 11.00 p.m. 

Leave Front street, north, 6.29, 6.44 a.m.; 
then every 1\ minutes until 11.29 a.m.; then 
every 15 minutes until 12.44 p.m.; then every 
7£ minutes until 9.14 p.m.; then every 15 
minutes until 11.14 p.m. 

Adams Square. 

Going South— Leave Adams square 7.23, 
7.53, 8.23, 8.53, 9.23, 9.53, 10.23, 10.53, 11.23, 
11.53 a.m.; 12.23, 12.38, 12.53, 1.23, 1.53, 2.23, 
2.53, 3.23, 3.53, 4.23, 4.53, 5.23, 6.08, 6.23, 6.38, 
6.53, 7.23, 7.53, 8.23, 8.53, 9.23,9.53, 10.23 P.M. 

Going North— Leave Front street 6.59, 
7.29, 7.59, 8.29, 8.59, 9.29, 9.59, 10.29, 10.59, 
11.29, 11.59 a.m.; 12.14, 12.29, 12.59, 1.29, 1.59, 
2.29, 2.59, 3.29, 3.59, 4.29, 4.59, 5.29, 5.59, 6.14, 

6.29, 6.59, 7.29, 7"59, 8.29, 8.59, 9.29, 9.59, 
10.44 P.M. 

Sunday Time— Leave New Worcester for 
Adams square at 9.20 a.m., and every half- 
hour until 9.05 p.m., passing City Hall 16 
minutes of the hour and 14 minutes past 
the hour. 

Returning leave Adams square at 10.06 
a.m., then every half -hour till 9.51 p.m. 

Union Station— North End. 

Car Color, Blue Plaid. Color of Light, 
Red and Wliite. 

Car leaves Adams square at 6.30 a.m. for 
the depot. 

Leave Lincoln square 6.15, 6.40, 7.10, 7.33, 
7.45, 8.25, 8.40, 9.10, 9.33, 9.55, 10.37, 10.55, 
11.25,11.40,11.55 A.M.; 1.05, 2.00, 2.10,2.55. 
3.13, 3.40, 3.58, 4.25, 5.13, 5.43, 6.45, 7.03, 8.03, 
8.40 p.m. Returning, leave Union station 
6.37*, 6.55, 7.25, 7.50,8.03, 8.40, 8.45, 9.30, 9.50, 
10.14, 11.00, 11.10, 11.40 A.M.; 12.03, 1.23, 2.20, 

2.30, 3.15, 3.33, 4.08, 4.18, 4.45, 5.08, 5.33, 6.10, 
7.00, 7.20, 8.20, 9.00, 9.45 P.M. 

Union Station— South End. 

Car Color, Red Plaid. Red and White 
Light. 

Leave Webster square 6.15, 7.20, 10.25, 
11.30 a.m.; then every 15 minutes till 5.00 
p.m., then 5.30, then every 15 minutes till 
7.45, then 8.15. 

Returning leave Union station 6.42, 7.50, 
11.00 a.m., 12.15 p.m.; then every 15 minutes 
till 8.20, then 9.00. 

Leave Union station at 9.30 a.m. for 
Claremont street. Returning, leave Clare- 
mont street 9.40 a.m. 

So. Worcester and Chadwick Square. 

Color of Car, Red. Color of Light, Wliite. 

Leave Auburn square 6.00, 6.25, 7.00 a.m., 



93 



SUM— TAB 



and every half-hour until 8.30 p.m., then 
9.20 and 10.00. 

Leave Chadwick square 6.35, 7.45, 8.45, 
9.45, 10.15, 10.45, 11.45 a.m.; then 12.15, 12.45, 
1.15, 2.15, 3.15, 4.15, 5.15. 6.15, 6.45, 7.15, 7.45, 
9.15, 9.50, 11.10 P.M. 

Sunday Time— Leave South Worcester at 
1 p.m. and every 20 minutes till 9 p.m. 

Leave Chadwick square at 1.40 p.m., and 
every 20 minutes till 9.40 p.m. 

West Side. 

Color of Car, Blue. Color of Light, Blue. 

Cars leave Park avenue for Union depot 
and Lincoln square 6.20, 6.30, 7.00 a.m., and 
every 20 minutes till 10.00 p.m., then 10.40 
for Lincoln square. 

Cars leave Fair Grounds for Union depot 
and Lincoln square 6.20, 6.30, 7.00 a.m., and 
every 20 minutes till 10.00 p.m.; 6.30 a.m. 
car runs to Wire Mill. 

Cars leave Lincoln square for Park 
avenue and Fair Grounds at 6.40 a.m., and 
every 20 minutes till 10.00 p.m., then 10.20 
and 11.00 p.m. for Park avenue. 

Cars leave Union depot 6.40 a.m., and 
every 20 minutes till 10.20 p.m. 

QjUINSIGAMOND. 

Color of Car, Green Plaid. Color of 
Light, Green. 

Cars leave Market street at 5.45, 6.20, 
6.43 a.m. 

Leave Lincoln square at 7.13 a.m., and 
every half -hour until 12.43 p.m., then every 
20 minutes until *10.33 p.m. 

Returning leave Quinsigamond at 6.20 
and half-hourly till 1.50 p.m., then every 20 
minutes till 11.10 p.m. 

Cars marked * run to Grove street. 

Sumner Club. — See High School Socie- 
ties. 

Sunday Papers.— The Sunday news- 
papers published in Worcester are the 
Sunday Telegram, the first number of 
which was dated November 30, 1884. The 
Sunday Spy first appeared July 22, 1888. 
See the Spy and Telegram in the Diction- 
ary. The Sunday editions of the Boston 
Herald and Globe publish Worcester let- 
ters. The correspondent of the former is 
John Perley Munroe, and that of the latter 
Eugene M. Moriarty. 

Sunnyside. — The locality at the end of 
the Jo Bill road, on the southern slope of 
Prospect hill. A pleasant settlement is 
built here, in view from Elm park. 

Swedenborgiang. — A few persons be- 
longing to this sect began to hold meetings 
in Worcester some fifteen years ago, which 
were discontinued some time before 1880. 
About a year ago another attempt was 



made to establish a church here, and meet- 
ings have since been held in the Walker 
building. 

Swedes or Scandinavians,— There are 

about 7000 Scandinavians (which includes 
Swedes, Norwegians, Finns, etc.,) in Wor- 
cester—nearly as many as Boston has. 
There are six Swedish churches— one Luth- 
eran, two Methodist, two Baptist, and one 
Congregational ; several mutua 1 benefit and 
temperance societies; one building associa- 
tion ; two cooperative grocery stores, and 
several private stores. Of the two news- 
papers — weeklies — Skandinavia was estab- 
lished in 1886, and Fosterlandet in 1889. 
The former is republican in politics, the 
latter independent. The first Swedes in 
Worcester came in 1868, and found employ- 
ment at the Washburn & Moen Wire Works. 
Since that time a large number of other 
foreigners have been supplanted at that 
establishment by Scandinavians; and the 
latter have come to be a valuable and de- 
sirable element among our citizens. There 
is a large Swedish settlement at Quinsiga- 
mond Village. As a rule Scandinavians are 
industrious, frugal and quiet in their habits, 
generally can read and write in their own 
language, and soon learn English. They 
have little jealousy of wealth, and are not 
given to useless or clamorous agitation 
which has so wasted the strength and de- 
stroyed the resources of others; consequent- 
ly they are prosperous to a remarkable 
degree; a very large proportion own 
their homes, and have become permanent 
citizens. The respect for law and religion 
is inherent in them, and they are little given 
to disorder, or intemperance, though the 
latter is an occasional fault; the Finns, 
who are not, properly, Scandinavians, 
though classed with them, furnishing the 
most examples. It is, however, compara- 
tively seldom that a Swede or Norwegian 
comes before a court, and the newspapers 
recognize this fact by generally announcing 
the transgression in headlines as something 
remarkable. Minnesota is the Swedish 
center in America, but representatives of 
the race are widely scattered through the 
country. An effort, which promises good 
success, is now being made to people the 
deserted farms of northern New England 
with Swedes. The first Swedish Directory 
in this country was printed by the pub- 
lishers of this Dictionary; and the Swedish 
almanac was also issued from their office. 

Tabernacle Churcb.— The church form- 
ed by the supporters of the Rev. William 
M. Parry, who followed him from the Old 
South Church in 1874. It worshipped in 
Mechanics hall. This church was recog- 
nized by a Congregational Council, but 
that body refused to install Mr. Parry as 



TAN— TEL 



94 



pastor, and the ceremony was carried out 
by lay members of the church. After Mr. 
Parry's death in 1879, the church ceased to 
exist. A fine mouument in memory of 
their pastor has been erected at Hope Cem- 
etary by members of the Tabernacle 
Church. It is of white marble in the form 
of a reading desk with the open Book, and 
below is a profile likeness in bas-relief, and 
the inscription : " Rev. William Meredith 
Parry, LL.D., Fellow of the Royal Society 
of Literature of London." 

Tannery.— The " Old Tannery, 11 promi- 
nently mentioned in the business history of 
the town from about 1800 to 1825 or later, 
was situated back of the Exchange Hotel, 
down Market street, and the vats in the 
meadow are remembered by some now 
living. 

Tariff* Reform League, (Worcester 
County.)— The Worcester County Tariff 
Reform League was organized Nov. 30, 
1889, and elected the following board of 
officers : President, B. W. Childs of Wor- 
cester; Vice Presidents, Hon. John E. Rus- 
sell of Leicester, Hon. Edward L. Davis of 
Worcester, John W. Corcoran of Clinton, 
E. D. Thayer of Worcester, Dr. George E. 
Francis of Worcester, Edward Winslow 
Lincoln of Worcester, Jonathan Munyan 
of Worcester, Joseph P. Eaton of Auburn, 
George W. Olney of Leicester, Eben S. 
Stevens, John Hopkins of Millbury, Wm. 
Hart of Worcester; Executive Committee, 
Waldo Lincoln, J. A. Titus, Charles F. Al- 
drich, Capt. F. Linus Child, Richard Ward 
Greene, Edwin A. Morse, all of Worcester; 
Secretary, Frederick Kimball of Worcester; 
Treasurer, Fred G. Davis of Worcester. 

The league is a strictly non-partizan organ- 
ization, whose work will be of an educa- 
tional character entirely. It will at regular 
intervals hold meetings for the purpose of 
discussing matters pertaining to the tariff, 
and some time during the winter will hold 
public meetings, at which men of national 
repute as business men or political econo- 
mists will impart their views to all who 
may be interested to attend. The constitu- 
tion of the league allows any person inter- 
ested to become a member, upon approval 
by the executive committee, by paying one 
dollar to the treasurer. 

(^Tatnuck.— A village in the north-west 
part of the city, three miles from the 
center. The name Tataesset was applied 
by the Indians to the western range of hills 
in the town, and was corrupted in Tatnick 
or Tatnuck. There is a school-house and 
hall here. The Tatnuck Benevolent, Chari- 
table and Literary Association is an active 
body. 



Tatnuck Brook.— This brook rises in 
Paxton, and flows south to New Worcester 
where it joins other streams to form Mid- 
dle river. It is an important contributor to 
the water supply of the city. Beaver brook 
is a tributary of Tatnuck brook. 

Technical School. — See Polytechnic 
Institute. 

Telegram, (Worcester).— Published by 
the Telegram Newspaper Co., at 386 Main 
street. The Telegram was established as a 
Sunday paper on the 30th of November, 
1884, by Austin P. Cristy, a member of the 
Worcester County Bar. The first daily edi- 
tion appeared May 19, 1886. This paper has 
been very successful, and claims a larger 
circulation than any other printed in Wor- 
cester. The Telegram is a lively sheet, of 
inquisitive tendencies, and prolific in news. 
It is Republican in politics. 

Telegraph.— The operation of the Mag- 
netic Telegraph was first exhibited in Wor- 
cester at Brinley Hall, on the evening of 
December 9, 1845, by Mr. J. E. Strong, 
manager of the Springfield Telegraph sta- 
tion. A charge of 25 cents was made at 
the door. The line of the New York and 
New England Telegraph Company was 
complete at that time between New York 
and Springfield, and the next season (1846) 
was carried through to Boston. In July, 
1846, citizens importuned the managers to 
establish a station in Worcester, but they 
demanded $1,500, and it was probably more 
than a year later that an office was opened 
here. The first place occupied was a room 
in the building on Norwich street, where 
the paint and oil store of G. H. Clark & Co. 
now is. Mr. Strong of the Springfield sta- 
tion was appointed manager. In 1850 or '51 
the office was removed to Warren block on 
Pearl street, up stairs ; and in 1858 again 
removed to the Insurance building on Main 
street, opposite Elm street. 

The N. Y. and N. E., American, Franklin 
and other telegraph companies were con- 
solidated with the Western Union, and suc- 
cessive managers of the main office here 
under the different companies have been 
Horatio N. Williams, 1853; John G. Tobey, 
1861; and Edwin W. Bradford, 1863 to the 
present time. The latter has been con- 
nected with the telegraph service in this 
city thirty-five years. The Western Union 
Company removed to the Spy building 
(442-444 Main street), in 1872, where it still 
remains. There are branch offices at the 
Bay State House and the Union Station. 
The American Co. had an office here in 
1859-60; the Franklin for several years 
(about 1867-1878); the Atlantic and Pacific, 
1880-81 ; American Rapid, 1881-84; Mutual 
Union, 1881-1889 ; Bankers 1 and Mer- 



95 



TEL— THE 



chants, 1 1884 ; United Lines, 1885-88 ; and 
the Postal Telegraph-Cable Co. The office 
of the latter is at 434 Main, and that of the 
Mutual Union at 426 Main street. 

Taliaferro P. Shaffner, the eminent tele- 
grapher, was in Worcester more or less 
from 1857 to 1860, and wrote some portions 
of his large " Telegraph Manual" here, re- 
ceiving assistance in the translation of for- 
eign languages from George Jaques. After 
the failure of the first Atlantic Cable Mr. 
Shaffner projected a line from Labrador to 
Greenland, continuing to Iceland, Faroe 
Islands, Norway and Scotland. A vessel 
was fitted out at Boston to explore the 
route and take soundings, and the princi- 
pal expense of the undertaking was paid 
by Daniel R. Pratt (a brother-in-law of Mr. 
Shaffner), who built the mansion on Well- 
ington street afterwards the residence of 
George Gill. Samuel H. Putnam, the book- 
seller, and Henry M. Sorell, the well-known 
Worcester hackman, accompanied Mr. 
Shaffner on this voyage, leaving Boston in 
August, 1859, and landing at Glasgow in 
November. •- 

Telephone Service. — The Worcester 
Telephone Exchange was opened at 425 
Main street in 1879, and a large number of 
instruments were soon in use. The Ex- 
change was removed to 44 Front street in 
1888. The present number of subscribers 
in the city is 885. 

Temperance Societies. — Foremost 
among the temperance societies are the 
Reform Club and the Worcester Temper- 
ance Club. The former was organized in 
1876, and has been the means of rescuing 
many from the curse of intemperance. 
The hall is at 98 Front street. The Temper- 
ance Club is substantially on the same 
plan. It meets at 418 Main street. Of tem- 
perance societies proper, the Washington- 
tan Division, No. 176, was organized in 
1S65; the Sons of Temperance, Anchor 
Division, No. 56, organized 1882; Worcester 
Temple of Honor, No. 31; Katama Lodge, 
I. O. O. T., No. 52; Worcester Distrikt 
Tempel, No. 3, and Niagara Lodge, No. 3, 
O. of T. There is a Mutual Relief Associa- 
tion of the Sons and Daughters of Tem- 
perance. The Irish temperance societies 
are the Father Mathew, St. John's Guild, 
and St. Stephen's Lyceum; {see Irish Socie- 
ties). The First Woman's Temperance 
Union was organized in 1876, and meets at 
the Second Baptist Church; and the Second 
W. C. T. U. formed in 1878, meets in the 
Burnside building. The Worcester Cen- 
tral Temperance League was organized in 
1887, and is composed of the pastors and 
delegates from the churches and temper- 
ance societies in the city. Its objects are 
to enforce the law against saloons, and to 



cultivate total abstinence principles. Wil- 
liam H. Bartlett is president. The rooms 
are in the Y. M. C. A. building. 

Temporary Home and Day Nursery. 

—Established in 1883 as the Day Nursery 
and Kindergarten, for the benefit of the 
children of the poor, and of mothers who 
are obliged to work out at day labor. 
Children can be left during the day, and 
will be properly cared for. The home is at 
176 Southbridge street. 

Tennis Clubs.— There are two tennis 
clubs in Worcester —the Woodlawn, and 
the Winslow. The latter was formed the 
present year. 

Theatres and Theatricals.— The first 
dramatic entertainment in Worcester by 
professional talent took place in the year 
1797, as appears by the following announce- 
ment in the Massachusetts Spy: 

" Theatrical. For a few nights only. 
Mr. Hogg, late of the Boston Theatre, re- 
spectfully informs the Ladies and Gentle- 
men of Worcester and vicinity, that the 
Hall over the School Room is fitted up for 
the purpose of representing some select 
and most admired Dramatic Pieces. On 
Wednesday evening, June 21, 1797, will be 
performed a favorite musical entertain- 
ment, called The Waterman. By particu- 
lar desire, Collins'' Ode on the Passions. 
To which will be added for the second time, 
a dramatic romance in one act, called The 
Oracle, or Daphne and Admintor. The 
whole to conclude with a Pas de Deux. 
The doors to be open at half -past six, and 
the performance to commence precisely at 
half -past seven. Tickets to be had at the 
Worcester bookstore, at the bookstore of 
Isaiah Thomas, Jun., and of Mr. Hogg, at 
the house of Capt. Heywood. Front seats 
3-9. Back seats 2-3." 

On the 28th of June, the play of " Like 
Master, Like Man," was given. 

More than twenty years passed before 
the people of Worcester had another oppor- 
tunity of witnessing anything like a theatri- 
cal entertainment. William Charles White, 
an actor and play-writer of some note, 
resided in the town several years between 
1797 and 1818, the year of his death. What 
influence he had in cultivating a taste for 
the drama in the minds of his friends and 
neighbors cannot now be determined, but 
we are told by one who knew him that he 
was a man of free and elegant manners, 
and was often surrounded by those who 
were charmed by the magic of his voice, 
and the vigor of his understanding. But 
however strong the craving, the oppor- 
tunities for gratification in those days were 
few, especially in a country village like 



THE— TOB 



96 



Worcester. We have contemporary tes- 
timony that the study of Shakespeare was 
one of the recreations of a small circle of 
cultivated minds gathered in the town in 
the first years of the century, comprising 
such names as Allen, Lincoln, Bangs, Ban- 
croft, Blake, White and others. The drama 
itself, however, had to be viewed and en- 
joyed elsewhere. 

On the 24th of April, 1820, a " Rational 
Entertainment " was given at Eager 's hall 
by Mr. Bernard, Mr. Jones and Mrs. Young, 
from the Boston Theatre, under the title 
" Be Merry, Be Wise ; or the World as it 
Goes," with songs, dancing, recitations, etc. 
Eager's hall was in the Brick Hotel at the 
corner of Main and Mechanic streets, where 
the Walker building now stands. Most of 
the hotels or taverns in those days had 
halls for dancing, lectures and such enter- 
tainments and exhibitions as came along. 
Mr. Blanchard's " Olympic Theatre " was 
advertised at Howe & White's (successors 
of Eager) hotel in September, 1821. Mrs. 
Blanchard and her three children took part 
in this exhibition. 

It appears that there was a strong senti- 
ment in the town between 1830 and 1850 
against all entertainments of the lighter 
nature, and this was evidently inculcated 
and emphasized by John Milton Earle, the 
editor of the Spy, who was not sparing in 
his denunciation of such " fooleries " which 
encouraged " idleness, cruelty and vice." 
For quite a number of years no circuses or 
theatricals were allowed in the town. 
About the time Worcester became a city, 
the gates were occasionally opened, but it 
was some time after this before dramatic 
performances were allowed to be given 
without protest. Brinley Hall was used 
forty years ago for most of the entertain- 
ments of this character, until in 1850 the 
new Flagg's hall, in the block which was 
burned in January, 1854, took a large share 
of them. This hall was provided with 
scenery and other stage appurtenances. 
Among the celebrities who appeared here 
were Geo. L. Fox, Mrs. Barrett, Denman 
Thompson and Yankee Locke. There was 
no " Theatre " in Worcester until the com- 
pletion of the one erected by William 
Piper, in 1856-7, which is now known as the 
"Front Street Gaiety.' 1 This was first 
opened on the 9th of February, 1857, the 
play "Ingomar" being given by a select 
company under the management of Wyze- 
man Marshall. This theatre was closed 
Nov. 27, 1867, remodelled for business uses, 
and was known for the next twenty years 
as the "Front Street Exchange." Again 
altered and restored it was re-opened as a 
theatre in the fall of 1888. Many actors of 
merit, and some eminent ones appeared in 
this building during its first years, among 
whom were Edwin Forrest, John E. Owens, 



Mrs. Barrow, John Gilbert, Charlotte 
Thompson, Rose Etynge, Wm. E. Burton, 
J. W. Wallack, Charlotte Cushman, McKean 
Buchanan, Wm. Warren, Laura Keene and 
Matilda Heron. John Wilkes Booth, the 
assassin of Lincoln, : played here in 1863. 
Charles C. D. Wilkinson managed the 
theatre for one season. 

Music Hall, known after 1873 as the 
"Worcester Theatre," was opened March 
9, 1869. A history of this building is given 
under the title Music Hall in the Diction- 
ary. Of the celebrities who have appeared 
here the following are now remembered : 
Charles R. Thome, John E. Owens, Mr. 
and Mrs. Barney Williams, Mrs. J. B. 
Booth, Wyzeman Marshall, Lester Wallack, 
Joseph Jefferson, Edwin Booth, Barry 
Sullivan, Anna Dickinson, James E. Mur- 
dock (readings), Charles Fechter, Henry 
Irving, E. A. Sothern, Salvini, Sara Bern- 
hardt, Mrs. Langtry, Lawrence Barrett and 
others. 

Theatrical performances have also been 
given in Mechanics Hall, in the Rink in 
Bigelow Garden, and in various other 
places. Bristol's Dime Museum, located in 
Washburn Hall for several winters, com- 
bined dramatic exhibitions with other at- 
tractions. Private theatricals have been 
rendered by amateur talent on several oc- 
casions; the efforts of the Quinsigamond 
Boat Club in producing such travesties as 
" Romeo and Juliet," " Lord Bateman," 
and the "Talisman" are deserving of 
praise. 

Edmund Kean, one of the greatest lights 
of the English stage passed through Wor- 
cester on the 20th of December, 1825, to 
Boston, where he attempted to play on the 
evening of the 21st, but was prevented by 
riotous demonstrations. He returned to 
this town well armed on the 22d, remained 
over night, and departed for New York on 
the 23d. 

Theological Library.— See Allen Li- 
brary. 

Thief Detecting Society.— The Wor- 
cester Association for Mutual Aid in De- 
tecting Thieves was formed Nov. 16, 1795, 
and the organization is still maintained. 

Times, (Worcester Daily).— An evening 
paper established Sept. 1, 1879, as a one 
cent issue. The price was advanced to two 
cents, the present rate. It is Democratic 
in politics, and has claimed to be the organ 
of the workingmen. 

Toboggan Club.— The Worcester To- 
boggan Club was organized in 1886. Sam- 
uel E. Winslow is president. The slide is 
at the Eyrie, Lake Quinsigamond. 



97 



TOW— TYP 



Tower Hill.— The elevation on the 
Shrewsbury side of Lake Quinsigamond, 
north of the Causeway, recently offered to 
the Natural History Society for a Girls 1 
Camp, by Thomas H. Dodge, Esq. 

Town Clerks of Worcester.— Follow- 
ing is a list of Town Clerks from 1722 to 

1848: 

1722, Jonas Rice. 

1723, Benjamin Flagg. 

1724, Jonas Rice. 

1729, Zephaniah Rice. 

1730, Benjamin Flagg. 

1731, Jonas Rice. 

1753, Daniel Heywood. 

1754, Timothy Paine. 
1764, John Chandler. 
1768, Clark Chandler. 
1775, Nathan Baldwin. 
1778, William Stearns. 
1780, Nathaniel Heywood. 

1780, Joseph Allen. 

1781, Daniel Goulding. 
1783, William G. Maccarty 
1783, Daniel Goulding. 
1787, Theophilus Wheeler. 
1792, Daniel Goulding. 

1796, Leonard Worcester, pro tern. 

1797, Daniel Goulding. 
1800, Oliver Fiske. 
1803, Daniel Goulding. 
1808, Enoch Flagg. 
1816, Levi Heywood. 
1818, Benjamin Chapin. 
1833, Samuel Jennison. 

1836, Charles A. Hamilton, who was the 
last Town Clerk to 1848, and also the first 
City Clerk. 

Previous to 1787 the Town Clerk was 
clerk of the First Parish, which included 
the whole town — in fact the distinction be- 
tween the town and parish was not made 
until after the incorporation of the Second 
Parish. See under Old South Church for 
a list of clerks of the First Parish from 
1787 to the present. See also the title City 
Clerk. 

Tramps.— The number of tramps or 
lodgers accommodated at the police sta- 
tions from December 1, 1887, to December 
1, 1888, was 6,583. 

Trinity Methodist-Episcopal Church. 
— The first incorporated body of Methodists 
in Worcester was organized Feb. 8, 1834, 
under the name of " The Methodist-Episco- 
pal Society in the Town of Worcester." 
Previous to the above date there had been 
class meetings, and preaching to some ex- 
tent for several years. Joseph A. Merrill 
was the first minister of the new society, 
and he was, within a short time, succeeded 
by Geo. Pickering. The Town Hall was 
the first place of worship. A lot at the 

7 



corner of Front and Spring streets was 
offered for $600 as a site for a building, but 
through the lack of funds the purchase 
was not made. In 1836 Samuel R. Jackson 
gave a piece of land on Exchange street 
(the east end of which was then called 
Columbian avenue, and the west end at 
Main street, Market street; the central por- 
tion not being open for travel) at the south- 
east corner of Union street, and a meeting 
house was built there, at a cost of $4,150. 
It was dedicated and opened for service 
March 8, 1837. Feb. 19, 1844, this building 
was burned, and in 1844-5 a new churcn 
was erected on Park street, south of the 
Common. This was of brick, 72 feet long 
and 50 feet wide, and cost rather more 
than $10,000. After twenty -five years oc- 
cupation this property was sold to the 
French-Catholics for $32,700. (See Catholic 
Churches.) In 1870 the Methodists pur- 
chased for $25,000 the estate of Thomas H. 
Dodge, at the corner of Main and Chandler 
streets, and erected the edifice known as 
Trinity Church. The corner stone was 
laid July 12, 1870, and the church dedicated 
April 25, 1871. It cost about $75,000 in 
addition to the land. The clock and bell 
in the tower were given by citizens of 
Worcester of various religious denomina- 
tions. The early history of this church is 
given by Alfred S. Roe in his paper on 
" The Beginnings of Methodism in Worces- 
ter, " printed in the Proceedings of the 
Worcester Society of Antiquity for 1888. 

Trowbridgeville.— A village on Web- 
ster street, near the Auburn line. 

Truant School.— A school for truants 
was established at the City Farm in 1863, 
and the whole number sentenced previous 
to Dec. 1, 1888, was 416. The average num- 
ber in the school is about 20. In 1888, 25 
were sentenced. " The aim of this school 
is not to reform criminals, but to repress 
the tendency to crime to which truancy 
leads. Hence commitments are made for 
no cause but truancy." 

Trumbull Square.— Where Trumbull, 
Franklin, Green and Park streets meet. 
On the north side of the square is the 
Trumbull mansion, which was formerly 
the county court house, erected in 1751. It 
was moved to its present location from 
Court Hill in 1801, and the present brick 
court house was built in its place in 1802. 

Type Writer, (The First.)— The first 
type writer was invented by Charles Thur- 
ber of Worcester, in 1843, and the identi- 
cal machine made under his direction at 
that time is now in the possession of the 
Worcester Society of Antiquity, presented 



TYP— UNI 



98 



by Herbert R. Cummings, and can be seen 
at the rooms of the society. It shows 
plainly the germ of the type writers of the 
present day. 

Typographical Union. — Worcester 
Typographical Union, No. 165, was insti- 
tuted in 1873. 

Trust Funds.— The total amount of 
Trust Funds held by the city for specific 
purposes, Nov. 30, 1888, was $285,307.85. A 
fist of these funds are here given, with the 
date of foundation and the amount of each: 
Name. Date. Amt. 

Bullock High School Fund, 1860, $1,626.62 
Hope Cemetery " 1863, 18,294.14 

Green Library " 1868, 44,370.08 

Lake Park M 1884, 1,724.10 

Bancroft Endowment u 1885, 10,249.75 

City Hospital Funds : 
Jaques, 1874, $189,032.81 

Davis, 1873, 2,510.70 

Curtis, 1876, 1,008.81 

Shaw, 1877, 344.93 

Tenney, 1881, 5,000.00 

Salisbury, 1884, 3,460.43 

Sargent, 1886, 508.79 

Knowles, 1887, 7,276.69 

Underwriters, (Board of).— The Wor- 
cester Board of Underwriters was organ- 
ized in 1883. Hon. John D. Washburn is 
president. 

Union Church.— The Third Congrega- 
tional-Trinitarian Church in Worcester, 
formed in 1836. The first edifice, at the 
present location on Front street, was dedi- 
cated July 6, 1836. It was of brick, 90 feet 
in length, and 54 in width. Granite steps 
extended nearly across the front. The 
house was twice remodeled inside, and 
was entirely rebuilt in 1880. The names of 
the pastors of this church appear under 
the title Ministers on page 56 of the Dic- 
tionary. 

Union Passenger Station.— .See Rail- 
road stations. 

Union Hill.— The high elevation nearly 
south of the Union Passenger Station, to 
the summit of which Providence street 
is the leading avenue. At the top of the 
hill are located the grounds and buildings 
of the Worcester Academy. Union Hill is 
the northern end of the high ridge known as 
Sagatabscot Hill, q. v. Many years ago 
real estate operations were begun here by 
David T. Brigham, and later a large tract 
came into the possession of John F. Pond, 
who opened many streets, and made other 
Improvements. 

Unitarian Churches.— The First Uni- 



tarian or Second Congregational church in 
Worcester was formed in March, 1785; and 
the parish was incorporated Nov. 13, 1787. 
"After this act of the legislature, the 
First Parish had a legal existence separ- 
ate from the municipal incorporation, and 
the support of worship was provided for, 
not by a general meeting of the inhabi- 
tants, but in parochial meetings. The Sec- 
ond Parish was the first example of a poll 
parish in any inland town of the Common- 
wealth, and it was regarded as a bold in- 
novation on the usages of the times." Aaron 
Bancroft was the first minister till 1839. 
(See Ministers.) The church worshipped 
seven years in the Court House, and occu- 
pied its own house on Summer street Jan. 
1, 1792. This building is now used as a pub- 
lic school house. A new church was erect- 
ed on Court Hill in 1828-9, and was des- 
troyed by fire in 1849. The present struc- 
ture, built on the same site was dedicated 
March 26, 1851. It cost about $25,000. 

The Second Unitarian Church, known as 
the Church of the Unity was organized in 
1845. The name was suggested by J. Hen- 
ry Hill. The house on Elm street was ded- 
icated April 28. 1846. This has been altered 
and enlarged. Rev. Edward Everett Hale 
was the first pastor. (See Ministers.) 

A Unitarian Mission was established on 
Freeland street in 1888. 

United Order of Equity.— Brunswick 
Lodge was organized in Worcester, Nov. 
12, 1889. 

United Friends, (Order of.)— Harmony 
Council, No. 8, was organized in 1881. 
Meets at 405 Main street. This is a mutual 
benefit order for assistance in sickness or 
misfortune, and an insurance in case of 
death. 

Universalist Churches.— There are 

two Universalist churches in Worcester : 
the First, organized in 1841, for many 
years worshipped in the building at the 
corner of Main and Foster streets, which 
was erected for the use of the society in 
1843. In 1865 the society purchased of 
Healy Baker the lot of land on Pleasant 
street, 10,800 feet, where the present church 
edifice now stands, for the sum of $6,250. 
The building was completed in 1871, and 
dedicated June 28th of that year. The cost 
of the building, including organ, furniture, 
etc., was $63,310. 

All Souls Church, Kilby street, was 
founded in 1884, and Rev. Frederick W. 
Bailey was the first minister. 

Probably the First Universalist meeting 
in Worcester was held in the Town Hall, 
Jan. 27, 1834, when Rev. Lucius R. Paige, 
the well-known historian of Cambridge and 
Hardwick, preached. Oct. 22d of the same 



99 



UNI— WAS 



year, Rev. Thomas J. Greenwood, the Uni- 
versalist minister of Marlborough, held a 
meeting in the Town Hall. The names of 
Universalist pastors in Worcester are given 
in the article on Ministers. 

University. — See Clark University. 

University Park.— The public ground 
on Main street, opposite Clark University, 
opened in 1887. The first portion purchased 
cost $21,000. In April, 1889, an addition of 
nearly five acres was added at an expense 
of $40,873.30. Of this 200,377 feet belonged 
to Alonzo Whitcomb, for which he was 
paid $37,500, or about 18^ cents per foot. 
This piece has a frontage on Main street of 
148 feet and runs back along Crystal street. 
11,261 feet, between the Whitcomb lot and 
Gates street (known as the Pickford or 
Leland lot) was also purchased for $3,378.- 
30, Chairman Edward W. Lincoln of the 
Parks-Commission dissented from the ac- 
tion of a majority of his colleagues in 
voting to purchase the Whitcomb and Le- 
land tracts. The original part was first 
called Crystal Park, from Crystal street, 
which had its name from Simon S. Gates 
who formerly owned a large farm through 
which the street was laid out, and who re- 
moved to Crystal Lake in the state of 
Illinois. He also named Illinois street. 

Valley Falls.— A village on Leicester 
street, near the Leicester line. 

Taluation. — The assessed valuation of 
the city of Worcester, October, 1889, was 
$69,392,651. The tax rate for 1889 was $16 
on a thousand. The valuation and rate of 
taxation for five years previous to 1889 are 
given below: 

Year. Valuation. Tax per $1000. 

1884, $50,773,475. $16.60 

1885, 52,714,391. 18.00 

1886, 54,566.389. 18.00 

1887, 59,465,575. 17.00 

1888, 64,551,736. 16.00 
The property exempt from taxation in 

1888 amounted to $2,746,100. The wealth 
of Worcester can be safely estimated at 
$100,000,000. 

Vermont, (Sons and Daughters of). — 

An association of natives of the Green 
Mountain state and their families, formed 
in 1873. Hon. Clark Jillson was the first 

E resident. The society has now 500 mem- 
ers. The president is F. O. Bushnell ; 
vice-presidents, H. J. Adams, Mrs. C. A. 
Hadley; secretary and treasurer, Geo. 
Pritchard. 

Viaduct, (The).— The elevated railway 
crossing Front and Mechanic streets, near 
the Union station, which connects the Bos- 



ton & Albany railroad with the tracks of 
the northern roads. It was completed in 
1878. 

Victoria Associates. — This association 
was formed in 1888. Miss Edna I. Tyler is 
president. 

Wachusett Club.— See Boat Clubs. 

Wachusett Mountain, — The highest 
elevation of land in Worcester County, 
situated in the town of Princeton, near the 
Westminster line, " This isolated emin- 
ence lifts itself grandly in the northerly 
part of the town to the commanding height 
of 2,480 feet above sea level. The ascent to 
the summit is gradual, through a growth 
of timber, diminishing in size. On the top 
of the mountain there is a good hotel, the 
Summit House; and an observatory, which 
commands on every side a most magnifi- 
cent prospect. Almost the whole of Massa- 
chusetts, with its varied scenery of moun- 
tain, woodland, town and village, lake 
and river, seems to spread itself as on a 
map beneath the observer's eye." On the 
evening of the 4th of March, 1825, an im- 
mense bonfire was built on the summit, 
and the mountain rechristened Mount 
Adams, in honor of John Quincy Adams, 
who was that day inaugurated President 
of the United States. A hotel called the 
Adams House was opened soon after. But 
this name was never popular, soon fell into 
disuse, and is now forgotten, while the 
Indian name, which signifies " Mountain^ 
Place " in the original, remains, 

Wards.— The city is divided into eight 
Wards, the boundary lines of which radiate 
from the center like the spokes of a wheel. 
The City Hall is assumed as the central 
point and the Wards are situated as fol- 
lows: Ward 1, north; Ward 2, north-east; 
Ward 3, east; Ward 4, south-east; Ward 5, 
south; Ward 6, south-west; Ward 7, west; 
Ward 8, north-west. The Ward boundaries 
are shown by red dotted lines on the map 
accompanying the Dictionary. 

For convenience in voting, the Wards are 
divided into precincts or polling places, 
and the number in each Ward is here 
given: Ward 1, two precincts; Ward 2, 
three; Ward 3, two; Ward 4, two; Ward 5, 
three; Ward 6, two; Ward 7, three; Ward 8, 
three. 

Washbnrn Hall.— The lower audience 
room in Mechanics hall building, named in 
honor of Ichabod Washburn. Its seating 
capacity is 552. 

Washington Club.— The oldest social 
club in existence in Worcester at the pres- 
ent time. It was formed at the Waldo 



WAS— WOM 



100 



House, December 19, 1865, and for about 
twenty years occupied rooms in Clark's 
block, now known as the Walker building. 
Its present quarters are at 38 Front street. 
The membership numbers ninety. It has 
never been incorporated. 

Washington Social Club.— See Irish 

Societies. 

Washington Square.— At the east end 
of Front street, where Summer, Mechanic, 
Grafton and Shrewsbury streets center. 
The Union passenger station is located on 
the east side, between Grafton and Shrews- 
bury streets, and at a short distance, on 
Shrewsbury street, is the station of the 
Shrewsbury railroad. Horse cars go from 
the square to points north and south on 
Main street, and to the West Side through 
Pleasant street. The square received its 
name about 1828, the time the canal was 
opened. 

Water Works.— The cost of Worces- 
ter's water system has been to date over 
$1,800,000. There are three sources of sup- 
ply, Lynde Brook Reservoir, high and low 
service ; and Holden Reservoir (Tatnuck 
Brook), low service. From the first there 
is a 16-inch main, with a pressure of 160 
pounds at the City Hall. Low pressure 
comes from Hunt's Reservoir which is sup- 
plied by Lynde Brook Reservoir, by a 16- 
inch main. Low pressure from the Holden 
Reservoir is conveyed by a 24 -inch main. 
The storage capacity is as follows: Bell Pond 
30,000.000 gals.; Lynde Brook Reservoir, 
680,000,000 gals. ; Holden Reservoir, 450,000,- 
000 gals. ; and Hunt's on Leicester street, 
3,000,000. The number of miles of street 
mains is 112. The daily consumption of 
water is estimated at 4,634,925, or 65 gallons 
to each consumer. 

Wealth.— See Valuation. 

Weasle Brook.— A tributary of Mill 
brook, in the north part of the city. 

Webster Square.— At New Worcester. 
From this point Main, Leicester, Webster, 
and Cambridge streets diverge. The square 
was named about the time the horse rail- 
road was started in 1863. A marble foun- 
tain has recently been erected, and other 
improvements made. 

Whipping Post.— The Stocks, Pillory 
and Whipping Post were familiar objects on 
Court hill a hundred years ago. The Stocks 
were at one time kept in the meeting-house 
" under the stairs." Whipping for minor 
offences was common. The notorious 
Stephen Burroughs, tried in Worcester in 
1791, was sentenced to receive 117 stripes 






on the naked back, to stand two hours in 
the Pillory and to sit one hour on the gal- 
lows with a rope around his neck. He 
escaped before all the punishment had 
been inflicted. Offenders were sometimes 
whipped in court in the presence of the 
judges, as the records testify. A woman 
was sentenced to receive a public whipping 
in Worcester about the beginning of the 
century. Sheriff Caldwell, a humane man, 
disappointed the crowd that had assembled 
in expectation of witnessing the spectacle, 
by saying that the sentence did not specify 
when the whipping should be administered. 
After the gathering had dispersed, he car- 
ried out the order of the court by laying 
the lash very lightly the specified number 
of times over the shoulders of the culprit, 
and dismissed her with the injunction to 
sin no more. This was the last case of the 
kind. Criminals frequently had their ears 
cropped for offences as late as 1790. In 1811, 
a man was exposed in the Pillory on Court 
hill for blasphemy. Whipping appears to 
be a very efficient method of reducing 
crime, yet it is spoken of by a certain class 
of sentimentalists as " brutalizing." The 
Governor of Delaware, where whipping is 
common, recently stated that criminals 
rarely appear there for punishment a 
second time — they either behave after the 
infliction or leave the state. 

Wigwam Hill.— The high elevation 
near the head of Lake Quinsigamond and 
on the western shore. The summit and 
eastern slope of this hill are owned by the 
Natural History Society, and come within 
the bounds of Natural History Park. A 
fine view of the whole length of the lake 
may be had from the top, and this view Mr. 
S. P. R. Triscott has preserved in an oil* 
painting owned by The Worcester Society 
of Antiquity. 

Windsor Club.— A social club of young 
men formed in 1889. Rooms were first oc- 
cupied at the corner of Main and Front 
streets, but recently the club has taken 
possession of the hall so long occupied by 
the Reform Club, at 460 Main street, which 
has been renovated and named Windsor 
Hall. 

Winter Hill.— A high elevation in the 
north part of the city. 

Woman's Club, (Worcester).— Organ- 
ized in 1880. The constitution has the fol- 
lowing preamble: "We, women of Wor- 
cester and vicinity, feeling the necessity 
which the present and prospective status 
of women imposes upon us, of imforming 
ourselves more fully, not only upon sub- 
jects of present general interest, but also 
upon the more important special questions 



101 



WOM—WOR 



which are now pressing upon all peoples, 
everywhere, for a just solution, because 
involving the welfare of humanity, do 
agree to form ourselves into an Association 
for the prosecution and accomplishment 
of the above-named purpose." Mrs. Abbie 
L. Sumner is president. The club meets 
twice each month for discussion, or to 
listen to lectures upon subjects of interest 
to the members. 

Woman's Suffrage.— The Worcester 
Suffrage League was organized in 1886. 
Miss Sarah A. Henshaw is president and 
treasurer; Miss Sarah E. Wall, vice-presi- 
dent; and Mrs. E. M. Briggs, secretary. 

Worcester. — "The name Worcester is 
said to have been derived from the Saxon 
Wegera-ceaster, meaning war castle, and 
descriptive of the military character of the 
place [in England] to which it was origin- 
ally applied by the martial clans of remote 
antiquity.'"— Lincoln's History. 

Worcester Academy.— In 1832 " a few 
individuals desirous of founding an institu- 
tion for education, under the patronage of 
the Baptist denomination,' 1 raised a fund 
of $5,000, and in November of that year 
"a tract of twenty-nine acres of land was 
purchased at the price of $75 the acre, and 
another lot of thirty-one acres for $65 the 
acre,— $4,200 in all— about half a mile south 
of the village. Buildings were erected in 
1833, and on the 28th of Feb., 1834, the insti- 
tution was incorporated under the name of 
the Worcester Manual Labor High School. 
The buildings were located on Main street, 
nearly opposite the present site of Piedmont 
church. The original design was to fur- 
nish in connection with a course of study 
such employment as would enable the stu- 
dents to defray sore e part of their expenses, 
but this was never successfully demonstrat 
ed. The first Principal of the school was 
Silas Bailey; and Isaac Davis was the first 
President of the Board of Trustees, and 
served in that capacity for nearly fifty 
years. The first Board of Trustees was 
composed of the following gentlemen : 
Otis Corbett, Secretary; Ichabod Wash- 
burn, Treasurer; Rev. Abiel Fisher, Joseph 
White, Rev. Otis Converse, Rev. Frederick 
A. Willard, Stephen Salisbury, Edward 
Phillips, Samuel I). Spurr, Perley Goddard, 
Daniel Goddard, Joseph Converse, and 
Joshua T. Everett. Joel Marble was the 
first steward, and his son, Manton Marble, 
the well-known New York editor and poli- 
tician, was born at the school. 

Hard pressed for funds, the trustees in 
January, 1837, petitioned the legislature 
for pecuniary aid, and in response, an 
elaborate report was made by Hon. Myron 
Lawrence, commending the plan and pur- 



poses of the school, but not recommending 
an appropriation. For the next fifteen 
years the school was maintained under 
pecuniary difficulties. The manual labor 
feature was gradually abandoned, and in 
1846 the name was changed to Worcester 
Academy. The sale of a portion of the 
land afforded such relief that a new street 
laid through the tract disposed of was 
called Benefit street. Succeeding princi- 
pals to 1870 were Nelson Wheeler, Eli 
Thayer, Charles C. Burnett, Rev. E. J. 
Avery, William S. Greene, Harrah J. Rey- 
nolds, James R. Stone, A. P. S. Stuart, 
Albert P. Marble and William C. Poland. 

About 1850, the trustees disposed of the 
buildings and land on Main street, and in 
1854 the institution was removed to the old 
Antiquarian Hall building, at the corner 
of Summer and Belmont streets. The sale 
of the south end property paid for the 
building and gave a fund of $25,000, the 
income of which and the use of the build- 
ing was given the principal in lieu of a 
salary. It was while Mr. Marble was in 
charge that an effort was made, influenced 
by the Rev. David Weston, pastor of the 
Second Baptist Church in Worcester, to 
abolish the Academy and give the entire 
fund and proceeds to the Newton Theolog- 
ical Institution to found a professorship 
there. This project was favored by the 
president and others, but was effectively 
resisted before the Legislature. In 1869, the 
old Medical College building and grounds 
on Providence street were purchased for 
$40,000, and since that time the Academy 
has been located at that place. The insti- 
tution is now on a good financial basis. 
Hon. Isaac Davis was a large benefactor, 
and Hon. Joseph H. Walker, who succeed- 
ed as president, has been a generous friend. 
During the present year a large building 
has been erected north of the original 
structure. The institution is similar to 
that of kindred institutions. There are 
two courses — the scientific and the college 
preparatory— of four years each. For thirty 
years or more the Academy has been open 
to pupils of both sexes. Daniel W. Aber- 
crombie is the principal. 

Worcester Boat Club.— See Boat Chibs. 

Worcester Club, (The).— Organized in 
March, 1888, for social purposes distinc- 
tively ,with a membership of 118, comprising 
some of the most prominent and highly 
respected citizens of Worcester. The ele- 
gant dwelling of the late Hon. Isaac Davis, 
at 59 Elm street, was purchased, and refit- 
ted, making one of the best club houses 
in the country, perfect in its appointments. 
The following board of officers were elect- 
ed : President, Hon. George F. Hoar; 
Vice-Presidents, Hon. John D. Washburn 



YEA— YOU 



102 



Col. W. S. B. Hopkins, Col. A. Geo. Bul- 
lock, Waldo Lincoln; Secretary, Charles 
F. Aldrich ; Treasurer, James P. Hamilton ; 
Directors, L. N. Kinnicutt, J. E. Davis, 
Leonard Wheeler, Chas. A. Chase, Joseph 
Sargent, F. H. Dewey, W. E. Cutter, R. W. 
Greene. The membership is now limited 
to 150. 

Year, (The Municipal).— Under the 

original charter of the City in 1848, the 
Municipal Year began the first Monday in 
April. In 1850, an Act of the Legislature 
provided that from the year 1851 it should 
begin with the first Monday in January. 

Worcester Society of Antiquity, 

(The).— This Society was formed January 
23, 1875, four persons being present at the 
first meeting. Samuel E. Staples was the 
prime mover. The purpose, as stated in the 
constitution, is "to foster in the members a 
love and admiration for antiquarian re- 
search and archaeological science, and to 
rescue from oblivion such historical matter 
as would otherwise be lost." The career of 
this Society has been a phenomenal one. 
It has carried on and supported its work 
almost entirely by the contributions of its 
members. The eighth volume of its " Col- 
lections" is now in press, the volumes 
averaging 450 pages each, and containing 
besides the proceedings of the meetings, 
the proprietary and town records, inscrip- 
tions from the old burial grounds, records 
of the Court of Sessions, etc. The printing 
of the later Worcester Town Records is con- 
tinued under an arrangement by which the 
Society and the City share the expense. 
The Society has received only a few hun- 
dred dollars in the way of pecuniary gifts, 
but has gathered a library of over 6000 books 
and 18,000 pamphlets, and a museum of 2,500 
articles. The Allen Library (noticed under 
the title in the Dictionary) acquired in 1884, 
and the Downes Collection of rare books 
and almanacs, are worthy of special men- 
tion. A large proportion of the general 
collection of books relates to local history 
and genealogy. Over 200 meetings have 
been held since the Society was founded. 
The rooms are in Bank Block on Foster 
street, and have been occupied since Octo- 
ber, 1877. The present officers of the 
Society are, President, Ellery B. Crane ; 
Vice-Presidents, Albert Tolman, George 
Sumner; secretary, William F. Abbot; 
Treasurer, Henry F. Stedman; Librarian, 
Thomas A. Dickinson. October 1, 1889, 
Stephen Salisbury, Esq , presented to the 
Society a lot of land on the west side of 
Salisbury street ninety feet north of the 
Central Church property, upon which a 
fire proof building is to be erected for the 
use of the association. 



Young Men's Christian Association. 

— A Young Men's Christian Association was 
organized in Worcester in 1852, of which 
Thomas Tucker, proprietor of the Ameri- 
can house, was president. A reading room 
was opened in the Bank building on Foster 
street, and maintained for a few months, 
but the formation of the Young Men's 
Library Association probably influenced 
the withdrawal from the field of the first- 
named society, for ib soon ceased to exist. 
The present Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation was formed June 14, 1864, and in- 
corporated June 4, 1868. Frederick A. 
Clapp was the first president. Rooms were 
opened in Mechanics hall building, where 
the association remained till 1869, when it 
removed to 279 Main street, and in 1870 to 
Chapin block on Pearl street. In 1878 
another removal to 411 Main street was 
effected. In 1879, the first general secretary 
was employed, and the work and member- 
ship increased until the need of larger 
quarters compelled the managers to make 
efforts towards the erection of a building 
adequate to the requirements of the asso- 
ciation. In 1884, Albert Curtis had offered 
$25,000 as a building fund, and $4,125 had 
accumulated from several small legacies 
and interest. A thorough canvass was made 
with the grand result of $92,138 88 from 
more than 3,100 contributors. The adjoin- 
ing estates on Pearl and Elm streets were 
purchased for $40,000, with a small addi- 
tional strip to ensure light, for $3,300, and 
the present fine Y. M. C. A. building erected. 
The corner stone was laid August 27, 1886, 
and the building was occupied in 1887. It 
extends from Elm to Pearl streets, with 
entrances on both, and contains besides the 
suite of rooms in general use by the Asso- 
ciation, two halls— Curt is and Association, 
which are used for religious and other 
meetings, public lectures, etc. A well sup- 
plied reading room and a gymnasium are 
also maintained. The object of this Asso- 
ciation is the social, moral and religious 
advancement of young men, in affording 
proper and attractive advantages and in- 
fluences which will withdraw them from 
evil associations. The membership now 
numbers over 1300. Charles F. Rugg is 
President, and Samuel G. McConaughy, 
General Secretary. 

Young Women's Christian Associa- 
tion. — " Intent on benefiting in the most 
judicious manner, and in the largest num- 
bers, the young women among us, many 
of whom have been thrown homeless, and 
largely friendless, upon their own re- 
sources for personal support and mainte- 
nance, " the first Young Women's Christian 
Association was formed in 1865. Boston 
was a pioneer in this work and has always 
remained in the front rank. Now in nearly 



103 



ZIO— zoo 



every large city such an organization can 
be found. The Young Women's Christian 
Association of Worcester was formed in 
1885, and incorporated October 26 of that 
year. Its financial basis at the start was a 
gift of $1,000 from Mr. Dwight Reed, a resi- 
dent citizen. Rooms at No. 352 Main street 
were at once secured, which have since 
been added to and altered, to suit present 
needs. Evening classes for girls and 
women in industrial and educational 
branches, are in session from October to 
May. Socials and entertainments are pro- 
vided for the members. The rooms are 
open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and assist- 
ance is given to strangers, in securing 
boarding places and employment. On 
Sunday the rooms are open from 3 to 6 p.m. 
and a gospel service for young women is 
held at 4 o'clock. A lunch is served each 
day from 12 to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays 
from 5 to 7 p.m. additional, to accommo- 
date girls working in the vicinity and living 
at a distance. A library o f 72 ° volumes, 
and a reading room with 36 periodicals, 
free to any resident woman. Funds for 



the maintenance of this work are received 
in membership fees and individual and 
church contributions. Any woman inter- 
ested in the work can become a member, 
by the annual payment of one dollar. The 
board of management is chosen from mem- 
bers of Evangelical churches. A building 
to accommodate this growing work and to 
include a boarding home for young women, 
is in contemplation. Mrs. Charles F. Rugg 
is President of the Association, and the 
General Secretary is Miss Sybil M. Gray. 

Zion M. E. Church. — See African 
Churches. 

Zoological Club of Worcester.— This 

club was formed through the efforts of 
Prof. Francis G. Sanborn, at the time he 
was in charge of the cabinet of the Natural 
History Society. Its purpose was the study 
of zoology in a practical way, i. e. by dis- 
section and demonstration. Rooms were 
occupied at 38 Foster street. The club was 
in existence only about a year from 1883 to 
the death of Prof. Sanborn in June, 1884. 



APPENDIX. 



Burncoat Plain.— A level tract two 
miles north of the City hall, through which 
Burncoat street runs. The origin of the 
name is not definitely known. In the old 
records it is sometimes spelled Burntcoat. 

Central Exchange.— The building on 
Main street next north of Mechanics hall, 
erected in 1843 on the site of the former 
structure destroyed by fire March 6th of 
that year. The post-r>ffice was located here 
in both the old and present buildings from 
1833 to 1867. Tbe lower floor is occupied 
by the Mechanics National and Mechanics 
Savings Banks. 

Corrections.— Page 28 under the title 
" Fires," the year of the Merrifield fire 
should be 1854. Page 45, 2d column, 15th 
line from bottom, for 1879 read 1789. Owing 
to the neglect of the printer to submit a 
final proof of one signature, the following 
typographical errors will be noticed : Page 
87, 2nd column, in the list of streets named 
by Mr. Messinger, for Bremen read Brevier; 
page 88, 1st column, 15th line from bottom, 
for James G. Blake, read James B. Blake; 
page 89, 2d column, 4th line from bottom, 
add from the street; page 90, 1st column, 
last line, for Gardner read Garden; page 96, 
2d column, 2d line, for Etynge read Eytinge. 

Journal of Morphology, (The). — 

Edited by C. O. Whitman, professor of 
animal morphology in Clark University. 
The first number was published in Septem- 
ber, 1887. From three to four or more 
numbers a year are issued irregularly. 
The third volume was completed in 
December, 1889. 

East Worcester.— The region east of 
Washington square, generally called Pine 
Meadow or "The Meadows." Shrewsbury 
and East Central streets are its principal 
thoroughfares. 

Free Public Library. (See Page 29.)— 
The corner stone of the new library exten- 
sion was laid November 27, 1889, and work 
on it is being rapidly prosecuted. On last 
Thanksgiving day, for the first time on a 



public holiday, the upper and lower read- 
ing rooms and reference library were open 
to the public during the usual library hours. 
This change was made by a regulation of 
the library committee, approved by the 
board of directors, and will apply to all 
holidays hereafter. These departments, 
as is well known, have been open on Sun- 
days from 2 to 9 o'clock p.m., and will con- 
tinue to be open during the same hours on 
Sunday. Hereafter, therefore, the reading 
rooms and reference library will be open 
every day in the year. Another advance 
was made on the first of December. Cards 
are now issued in the discretion of 
the librarian, on the request of par- 
ents, guardians or teachers, to children 
under fifteen years of age. These cards 
are distinguished from those in common 
use by a difference in color, and in issuing 
books to their holders the officers of the libra- 
ry are required to have regard to the char- 
acter of the books and the capacity of the 
applicant to make good use of them. An- 
other new regulation authorizes the issue, 
in the discretion of the librarian, of cards 
on which any number of books, not ex- 
ceeding six, may be issued at any one time 
to students even although not teachers. 
These cards are to be supplied only to per- 
sons who are pursuing some special lines 
of research. 

At November and December meetings of 
the directors of the public library, a com- 
mittee appointed some time ago, on the es- 
tablishment of delivery stations in the sub- 
urban districts, reported that the idea is 
received with great favor wherever inquiries 
have been made; that such stations might 
be established to advantage at New Worces- 
ter, at So. Worcester, at Quinsigamond, 
Lake View, Adams Sq., Greendale or Bar- 
ber's Crossing, No. Worcester and Tatnuck, 
8 in all ; that suitable places can be found for 
stations and suitable persons to take charge 
of them in all these districts and at an ex- 
pense, definitely ascertained in most cases, 
and with reasonable basis for estimates in 
others, not exceeding probably twelve hun- 
dred dollars yearly for all the stations, be- 
sides the cost of equipment for the service. 
The board voted to include in the annual 



APPENDIX. 



estimates for the library the sum of fifteen 
hundred dollars for the delivery station 
system. The plan contemplates two deliv- 
eries weekly at each station, the holders of 
cards leaving their cards with their books 
at the station to be returned to the library, 
and receiving there the books sent from 
the library. This system will much ex- 
tend the use of the circulating department 
of the library, and be a great convenience 
to those who live so far from the centre of 
the city that they are practically debarred 
from the frequent use of the books, to 
which their right is as good as that of per- 
sons who live within half a mile of the city 
hall. A printed catalogue of the Circulating 
Department and of a portion of the books 
belonging to the Intermediate Department 
was issued in 1884. A supplement to that 
work containing a record of books added 



between September 1, 1883, and May 31, 
1889, has just been printed. 

Relief Fundg.— Worcester has contrib- 
uted to many Relief funds in the past, the 
first perhaps being in aid of the Greeks 
sixty years ago. Within the last ten years 
money has been contributed by citizens of 
Worcester to several relief funds as fol- 
lows: Mr. Henry A. Marsh, as treasurer of 
all of them, having received the amounts 
here given: 

Irish Relief Fund, 1880, $ 4,357 00 

Forest Fires in Michigan, 1881, 3,126 57 

Charleston sufferers (earth- 
quake), 1886, 2,759 00 
Yellow Fever Sufferers, 1888, 2,177 00 
Conemaugh Valley Sufferers, 1889, 15,463 00 



Total, ^27,882.57 



INDEX 

Of some Names and Subjects incidentally mentioned in the Dictionary. 



Abbott, John S. C 44, 56 

Adams, John Quincy 50 

Agricultural Implements 45 

Allen, Charles 74, 81 

Allen, Ethan 46 

Allen, Rev. George 5, 29, 50 

Anthropological Society, 30 

Anti-Masonic Party 50 

Arbuckle, Matthew 59 

Archaeologia Americana 6 

Association Hall 32, 102 

Baldwin, John D 74, 81 

Bancroft, Rev. Aaron 44, 98 

Blake, James B 79, 91 

Boynton Hall 68 

Brigham, David T 36, 73, 98 

Burroughs, Stephen 74, 100 

Bushnell, Rev. George .56, 77 

Butman, Benjamin 73 

Camp Lincoln 54 

Camp Scott 54 

Card Clothing 46 

Chandler, John 54 

Church of the Unity 98 

College regattas 40 

Confucius, works of 10 

Continental Hall 32 

Court Houses, date of erection 21,97 

Cruikshank's drawings 32 

Crystal Park 99 

Curtis, Albert 102 

Curtis, Ephraim 34 

Curtis Hall 102 

Dam burst.. 74 

Davis, Edward L 33. 40, 79 

Davis, Isaac 5, 18, 27. 40, 73, 101 

Davis, John 74, 78, 80 

Dayton, Horace H 23 

Denton, Prof. William 30 

Devens, Charles 54, 79 

DeWitt, Alexander 81 

Dickinson, William 33 

Dodge, Thomas H 61, 97 

Domesday Book 43 

Downes Collection 102 

Drew, Thomas 81 

Dustin, Hannah 42 



Earle, Edward. 33 

Earle, John Milton 81 

Earle, William B 46 

Ears cropped ltO 

Envelopes 46 

Estabrook, James 39 

Father Mathew Temperance Society 37 

Fenwick, Bishop 18 

Fire Arms 46 

Foster street depot 11 

Free Masonry, see under Masonic Socie- 
ties 49 

French Newspapers 31 

Fruit Preserving Co 57 

George, Henry 79 

Goodnow, Edward A ... 16 

Gough, John B 33, 42 

Grand Army Hall 32 

Greek Testament 10 

Green, Dr. John 26, 29, 35, 42 

Green, Samuel S 30 

Greenwood, Rev. T. J 99 

Grout, John W 55 

Hale, Rev. E. E 13, 39, 44. 56 60, 98 

Hamilton, Charles A 16, 97 

Hamilton, Edward 57. 59 

Harris, Clarendon : 13, 22. 87 

Hassanamisco 32 

Heard, Nathan 14 

Hey wood, Daniel 35 

Higginson, T. W 29, 44. 76 

Hills 8 

Hoar, George F. 74, 78 

Homcepathic Medical Library 53 

Horticultural Hall 32 

Hovey, William 36, 37 

Howland, Henry J 6, 13, 22 70, 87 

Ingersoll, Robert J 30 

Insurance Hall 32 

Jackson, Samuel R 14 

Jackson Guards 55 

Jaques, George 36 

Jordan, Marsh & Co , 5 

Kean, Edmund 96 



INDEX. 



Koran, The 10,13 

Knowles Art Fund 7 

Knowles Maternity 35 

Knowlton, John S. C 14 

Lafayette 25 

Lawrence, Hon. Myron 101 

LeBaron, Francis 17 

Liberal Tract Society 30 

Lincoln, Edward W 66, 99 

Lincoln, John W 16 

Lincoln, Levi 18, 23, 43, 73, 74, 78, 87 

Lincoln, William 18, 33, 44 

Looms 47 

Lynde Brook Dam 74, 100 

Machinists 1 Tools 47 

Manual Labor High School 101 

Marble, Albert P 77 

Marble, Manton 101 

" Meadows, The" 67 

Merrick, Pliny 50 

Messinger, David S 23, 27, 87 

Metcalf, Caleb B 33 

Mexican War, number of soldiers in,... 54 

"Mount Adams" 99 

Music Festival 57 

Musical Instruments 47 

Mutual Fire Association 71 

New England Fair 5 

Newton, Dr. Calvin 52 

Old Books 43 

Organ, Great 52 

X fl-l^t?, Xv6V. JLi* -TV • ••••••••••••••«••••••••■ • c»Q 

Paine, Timothy 74 

Parry, Rev. W. M 93, 94 

Parsons, Solomon 32 

Penny Posts 69 

Perry, Emory 58 

Pillsbury, Parker 30 

Plunkett, Sergeant 10 

Poll Parish, first in Central Mass 98 

Pond, John F 52, 73, 98 

Railroad Iron 47 

Raymenton, Dr. W. H 60 



Record Printing 102 

Rice, Jonas 34 

Rice, George M 14 

Roe, Alfreds 33 

Rogers, Randolph 79 

Russell, E. Harlow 61, 62 

Salisbury, Stephen 6, 9, 33 

Sanborn, Francis G 60, 103 

Shaffner, Tal. P 63, 93 

Sheldon, William 44, 80 

Skull, Prehistoric 51 

Smith, Eleazer 46 

Smith, Samuel , 16 

Soldiers in different wars 54 

Souther, Samuel 17 

Stoddard, J. C 37 

Summer Camp for boys 61 

Sumner, Charles 42 

Tanyard 45 

Thayer, Eli 5,89, 65, 73, 74 

Thomas, Benj. F. ....... 79 

Thomas, Isaiah. .6, 13, 49, 50, 58, 65, 69, 70, 80 

Thomas, Robt. B 6 

Thompson, Charles O 68 

Thurber, Charles 37, 97 

Triphammer Shop 21 

Triscott, S. P.R 7, 100 

Veto, first, by the Mayor 13 

Waldo, Daniel 9 

Walker, Adam 54 

Walker, Joseph H 59, 61, 101 

Ward, George H 55 

Washburn, Ichabod 17, 34, 47 

Washington 25 

Wasson, David A 29, 44 

Weston, Rev. David 101 

Wheeler, D. G 23 

Wheelock, Clarendon 14 

White, Charles. 5 

White, William Charles 44,95 

Whitney, Rev. Peter 64 

Wilder, S. V. S 39 

Wire 47 

Wood-working Machinery. . . . 48 



I 



I ' 



\1 



■ 

ORCESIKKCoiVn. 

M A/ 4SACHU8E1 

Yankee Almana and Worcester Co. Hand Book 

F. S. Blanch r d & Co., Worcester, Mass. 




I 



INDEX. 

Koran, The 10, 13 Record Printing . .102 

Knowles Art Fund 

F * " - 

1 



B 

s 
B 
B 

II 

B 
1 
b 

1 

II 

B 
B 

B 
B 

C 
C 

I 
I 
I 
I 
F 

r 
p 
p 

F 
F 

F 

P 



'0 









LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




'*>»'. > 



